In an effort to develop antioxidant and antibacterial agents, a series of chalcones were prepared by Claisen-Schmidt condensation of appropriate aldehydes and ketones by base catalyzed or acid catalyzed followed by dehydration , in the presence of aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide and ethanol at room temperature. The synthesized compounds were characterized by means of their IR, 1H NMR spectral data and elemental analysis. All the compounds were tested for their anti oxidant and antibacterial activities by the cup plate method. Chalcones are synthesized by conventional and microwave assisted synthesis methods. By microwave assisted synthesis, a considerable increase in the reaction rate has been observed and that too, with better yields.