Synthesis of 1,3-diketones from 3-(4-R-phenyl)propionic acids

Self-acylation of 3-(4-R-phenyl)propionic acids (R = H, Br, 1-adamantyl) in trifluoroacetic anhydride catalyzed by trifluoromethanesulfonic acid provides a simple and efficient synthesis of 1,3-diketones. Indan-1-ones formed in the first step undergo acylation to give the corresponding 2-(3-phenyl-1-oxopropyl) indan-1-ones as the major products. One-pot synthesis of polysubstituted pyrazoles directly from 3-(4-R-phenyl)propionic acids is described.