[sensei2308]

I've got a question about an experiment i'm working on.
I'm performing a Robinson Ring annulation with Chalcone(10 mmol), Ethylacetoacetate(10 mmol) and Ethanol 25 ml. I'm using BaOH·H₂O (1 mmol) as a catalyst. I made this mixture to make 2-carboxyethyl-3,5-diphenyl-5-hydroxy-1-cyclohexanone. This mixture was stirred for 23 hours. After this I tried to recrystallise my mixture with 96% Ethanol, but it would not dillute. I know Chalcone is almost insoluble in ethanol, so I suspect my reaction did not run. My question to you is.... Why did my reaction not work out? Could it be that my catalyst is not of an high enough quality? Or is it something else?

I used this as my guide for my experiment: https://www.google.nl/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CDQQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fweb.centre.edu%2Fmuzyka%2Forganic%2Flab%2Fchalconerobinsonprocedure.doc&ei=3GUQVYWKEung7QbZgoGQBQ&usg=AFQjCNGMJJquImCfTjAQnw8o6l3Q3vDgTA&sig2=dSml3QS95GI4rTva2as0Bw

[sensei2308]

I forgot to mention that I first filtered the crude product on a buchner funnel before recrystalising