Versatile Synthesis of 3-Arylindan-1-ones by Palladium-Catalyzed Intramolecular Reductive Cyclization of Bromochalcones

We have developed a novel and versatile synthesis of racemic 3-arylindan-1-ones by palladium-catalyzed intramolecular reductive cyclization of bromochalcones. This method is especially attractive because it avoids strong acidic conditions and consequently a larger number of sensitive functional groups are accepted during synthesis compared with existing methods.