Efficient synthesis of 3-iodoindenes via Lewis-acid catalyzed Friedel-Crafts cyclization of iodinated allylic alcohols

A convenient BF3 center dot Et2O-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts cyclization of iodinated allylic alcohols is reported. The present reaction provides an efficient protocol to 3-iodo-1H-indene derivatives in good to high yields under mild conditions. Further, the iodoindene derivatives are valuable synthetic building blocks for elaboration of molecular complexity, such as in the construction of multiaryl substituted indenes by Suzuki coupling reaction.