Simple and Efficient Synthesis of 4,7‐Dimethoxy‐1(H)‐indene

Abstract

Stirring 4,7‐dimethoxy‐1‐indanol in chloroform at room temperature in the presence of a catalytic amount of p‐toluenesulfonic acid gave 4,7‐dimethoxy‐1(H)‐indene in quantitative yield. Other solvents, including benzene, which was the most frequently used one for this reaction, gave mostly polymeric materials. The new method was also effective for dehydration of other electron‐rich benzylic alcohols.

Keywords:

• dehydration
• dimethoxyindene
• indene
• synthesis