Synthesis of multi-substituted indene derivatives from aryl, vinyl, and alkyl/aryl carbinols

A divergent approach to highly substituted functionalized indenes has been developed. The two-step reaction involving nucleophilic addition reaction of aryl vinyl ketone, an ideal intermediate with aryl or alkyl nucleophilic reagent, followed by electrocyclization (Nazarov cyclization) in the presence of Lewis acid catalyst afforded indene derivatives in good to excellent yield.