Synthesis of 2-substituted 3-aroylindenes via palladium-catalyzed carbonylative cyclization of diethyl 2-(2-(1-alkynyl)phenyl)malonates with aryl halides.

[reaction: see text] The palladium-catalyzed reaction of readily accessible diethyl 2-(2-(1-alkynyl)phenyl)malonates with aryl halides under a balloon pressure of CO produced 2-substitued 3-aroylindenes in good yields. The reaction is believed to proceed via cyclization of the alkyne containing a proximate nucleophilic center promoted by an acylpalladium complex.