The aryl phenylpropynoates 3a-c, prepared by esterification of phenylpropynoic acid with the corresponding phenols, by means of N,"-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, give upon irradiation the o-hydroxyaryl phenylethynyl ketones 4a-c. The cyclization of these compounds in basic media follows two alternative pathways: 6-endo-dig ring closure, to give the flavones 8a-c, and/or 5-exo-dig ring closure, to give the aurones 9a-c. The predominance of one or the ...