Iodine promoted one-pot synthesis of flavones

• Development of a new one-pot methodology for the synthesis of flavones mediated by molecular iodine. • Simple raw materials such as derivatives of 2′-hydroxyacetophenones and benzaldehydes are used. • Methodology proceeds in pentan-1-ol, a green solvent. • Additives free. • Products are obtained in short reaction times and up to 90 % yields A novel one-pot methodology for the synthesis of flavones starting from simple precursors such as 2′-hydroxyacetophenone and benzaldehyde derivatives in pentan-1-ol (a green solvent), without additives. using iodine as catalyst and with short reaction times (1 h) is described. A scope of 21 products in yields ranging from 28 % to 90 % is presented. Results demonstrated that the yield was enhanced by the use of benzaldehyde derivatives with activating substituents in the para -position.