method has been developed for the direct preparation of 3-aryl-1,2-cyclohexanediones from 2,3-epoxycyclohexanone via a microwave-assisted tandem epoxy ketone isomerization−Heck arylation reaction. The preparative microwave-assisted reactions were performed preferentially in 50% aqueous poly(ethylene glycol) utilizing sodium acetate as the base. Within 5−30 min of directed microwave heating, employing less