Enzyme catalyzed synthesis is an eco-friendly technique in organic synthesis, having several
benefits over conventional methods. In the present work, we describe a simple process of laccase and
chloroperoxidase assisted cyclization of chalcones, leading to the formation of flavanones. The reaction
proceeds in a mixture of phosphate buffer and ethanol, under oxygen atmosphere at room temperature,
yielding the corresponding flavanone in good to moderate yield. The relative configuration of the
products at C2 is tentatively assigned as S*-flavanone based on the coupling constants with the methylenic
protons H3α,β. In comparison to the chemical methods, we describe a process which can be
achieved efficiently under mild conditions using oxygen as oxidant.