General procedure C : To a solution of S3 (1.1 g, 5.0 mmol) in a mixed solvent of DME (15 mL) and H2O (15 mL) were added Na2CO3 (1.1 g, 10.0 mmol), aryl boric acid (10.0 mmol), and 10% Pd/C (53.0 mg, 10 mol %). The mixture was then stirred at room temperature for 24 h to complete the reaction. The solution was filtered and the filtrate was extracted with ethyl acetate (30 mL × 3), dried over anhydrous Na2SO4, concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by a column chromatography on silica gel with petroleum ether/ethyl acetate (10:1) as the eluent to provide the desired product S4. The synthesis of 3-phenylcyclohexenone (1an) was selected as a model for the synthesis of 3-substituted cyclohexenones.