Synthesis of xanthenes, indanes, and tetrahydronaphthalenes via intramolecular phenyl-carbonyl coupling reactions

Benzaldehydes and acetophenones bearing tethered carbonyl chains underwent the intramolecular phenyl-carbonyl coupling reactions, by mediation of samarium diiodide and hexamethylphosphoramide, to afford the xanthenes and fused benzocarbocyclic compounds containing carbonyl and hydroxyl substituents.