A concise synthesis of 2-benzoyl-1-indanones and 1-indanones from 2-aryl-1-tetralones

Methyl-2-(3-oxo-3-aryl) benzoates derived from acid catalyzed air oxidative fragmentation of 2-aryl-1-tetralones were efficiently undergone intramolecular-Claisen condensation in the presence of potassium tertiary butoxide. The resulting 2-benzoyl-1-indanones formed in two-step ring contractions were further subjected to indium triflate mediated retro-Claisen condensation to get 1-indanones.