Chalcones are of interest to medicinal chemists because their structures can be easily modified with various functional groups. The syntheses and biological activities of chalcones from natural sources are well known. In this study, 24 2'-hydroxychalcones bearing methoxy substituents were synthesized, among which five are new. The NMR data for all synthesized chalcones are described for the first time. The complete assignments of the (1) H and (13) C NMR data can be used for the identification of newly discovered and widely isolated, synthesized chalcones. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.