Dual C–C bond formation was accomplished in one pot for the synthesis of a wide variety of indanones mediated by triflic acid. The reaction proceeds via an initial Michael-addition-type Friedel–Crafts alkylation followed by intramolecular acylation (cyclization). Significantly, the method was also successfully employed on more reactive β-diarylcinnamates using slightly different conditions.
Key words
cinnamates - Friedel–Crafts - indanones - alkylation - benzophenones