Novel one-pot approach to synthesis of indanones through Sb(V)-catalyzed reaction of phenylalkynes with aldehydes

Catalytic SbF(5) and the use of EtOH as an additive efficiently converted a mixture of phenylalkynes and aldehydes to indanone compounds in one pot, and the reaction stereoselectively afforded the corresponding 2,3-disubstituted indanones as a single trans-isomer.