Abstract3‐Aryl‐1‐phenyl‐2‐propen‐1‐one I reacted with ethyl phenylacetate (II) in the presence sodium ethoxide at room temperature to give the corresponding ethyl β‐aryl‐γ‐benzoyl‐α‐phenyl‐butyrate III. However,' when the same ketones were refluxed with ethyl phenylacetate, they gave the corresponding 4‐aryI‐3,6‐diphenyl‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyran‐2‐ones IV. The reactions of III and IV with hydrazine hydrate afforded the corresponding hydrazones VI and 2‐pyridones VIII, respectively. The structure and configuration of the products