This review summarizes the synthetic methodologies used in the last 25 years in the synthesis of chalcones, which are a class of flavonoids having a 1,​3-​diphenyl-​2-​propene-​1-​one backbone. These compounds are considered a hot topic in the field of medicinal chemistry, due to their pharmacological activity and because they are important precursors in the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds with therapeutic applications such as: flavones, flavanones, isoxazolines, benzothiazepines, pyrimidines and pyrazolines derivatives.