| abstract |
The preparation of indenes of formulae (I) and (IA) comprises: (a) reacting a di-substituted benzene of formula (II) with a carbonyl compound (or anhydride) of formula (III) to give indanones of formulae (IV) and (IVA); and (b) reducing to the corresponding indanols and dehydrating; R<3> = H, halogen, 1-10C optionally halo-substituted alkyl, 6-10C optionally halo-substituted aryl; -NR2<10>, -SR<10>, -OSiR3<10>, -SiR3<10> or -PR2<10>; R<10> = halogen, 1-10C alkyl or 6-10C aryl; R<4>-R<6> = as for R<3> but not H; and X<1>, X<2> = nucleophilic leaving groups. Also claimed are: (i) indenes of formula (I) and (IA); (ii) use of indenes (I) and (IA) in the preparation of metallocene of formula (V); (iii) novel indanones (IV) and (IVA); and (iv) use of indanone for prepn. of indenes. |