Purpose of this article is find out role of α,β- unsaturated carbonyl functionality on antifungal activity. Claisen- Schmidt condensation reaction and subsequent one stet reduction to tetrahydrochalcones (7-12) was done by using sodium formate and 5% Pd/C in methanol at room temperature. Antifungal activity was evaluated by using agar diffusion. Chalcones were more potential than corresponding tetrahydrochalcones. One step reduction by using sodium formate and 5% Pd/C is very efficient method. α,β- unsaturated carbonyl functionality imparts very significant role in antifungal activity. © 2011 IGJPS. All rights reserved.