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
1,2-Cyclohexanediones 2 were converted to cathechols 1 by action of tosyl chloride, potassium carbonate and AIBN. 2-Tosyloxy-2-cyclohexenones 3 were shown to be the intermediates of this transformation. This new reaction allowed a general synthesis of various 3-arylcatechols.