Table 1. Synthesis of Cyclohexenones in Water.

Entry	Synthesis of	Conditionsa	Yield (%) (anti:syn)
1	1b	H2O, 135 °C	96 (64:36)
2	13	H2O, 135 °C	98 (72:28)
3	14	H2O, 135 °C	98 (75:25)
4	15	H2O, 135 °C	90 (15a:15b 67:33), no syn products
5	12	H2O, 135 °C	83 (62:38)
6	1b	H2O, RTc	96 (1A, 100:0)
7	1b	Brine,d 135 °C	94 (95:5)

^aReaction conditions: α-ketoacid (2.0 mmol), benzaldehyde (2.0 mmol), ketone (2.0 mmol), NaOH (3 mmol, 10 M at H₂O solution), H₂O (3 mL); microwave vial was heated to 135 °C and heat was maintained for 30 min.

^b4-Phenyl-3-buten-2-one (2 mmol) is used instead of benzaldehyde and ketone.

^cReaction was stirred for 4 h at room temperature at 20 mL vial.

^dBrine solution (3 mL, saturated NaCl solution) was used instead of Milli-Q H₂O.