As an important intermediate to study cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors, 2-aryl-8-(piperidin-4-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-4H-chromen-4-one derivatives were prepared using β-diketone route with low yield. In our study, chalcone route has been investigatedand the result suggested that the benzaldehydes substituted with electron-donating group give much better yield than β-diketoneroute. This new method will be an efficient way to start further research on new anticancer flavonoids.2008 Hao Fang. PuNished by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society. All rights reserved.