Facile Synthesis of Curcumin and Curcuminoid-like Derivatives at Microwaves

Seven curcumin derivatives were synthesized by an ecological method, in a microwave field. The compounds obtained were purified and characterized by means of elemental analysis, UV-VIS, fluorescence, IR, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. Structure-property relationship in the b-diketone derivatives are discussed with respect to the structure and nature of the substituents for possible applications in optical sensors and luminescent materials.