Ethyl bromoacetate → Ethyl (5-methoxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-ylidene)ethanoate

To a solution of 5-methoxyindanone (150 g, 0.91 mol) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (4.5 L), was added zinc (30 mesh, 103.64 g, 1.59 mol) and copper(I) chloride (4.53 g, 0.045 mol). The suspension was stirred under Ar atmosphere and refluxed for 15 minutes; approximately a 25% portion of ethyl bromoacetate (133 mL, 1.18 mol) was added to the refluxing mixture in a slow dropwise fashion. After allowing to cool and stirring overnight at rt, TLC showed the presence of desired product, indicating the formation of reactive zinc species. The remainder of ethyl bromoacetate was added dropwise; an exotherm was observed (internal temperature increased to 35° C.). After 4 hours, TLC showed complete reaction. After the solids settled to the bottom of the flask, the liquid was siphoned off leaving a small amount behind to cover the solids. The flask was re-charged with 5-methoxyindanone (157.6 g, 1.86 mol total), anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (4.5 L), and zinc (80.92 g, 2.73 mol total). Ethyl bromoacetate (140 mL, 2.36 mol total) was added dropwise. An exotherm was observed (internal temperature increased to 35° C.). When the stirred mixture cooled to rt, TLC showed the reaction to be complete. The solids were allowed to settle and the liquid was siphoned off. The combined reaction solutions were concentrated in vacuo to a volume of ˜2 L. The liquid was then poured into sufficient 1N aqueous hydrochloric acid (cooled in ice water) to bring the pH to 1. The product was extracted with ethyl acetate (2×1 L, 1×500 mL). The combined extracts were washed with water, brine (1 L each), dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to afford a dark red oil which solidified gradually (438.3 g; theoretical yield=432 g). 1H NMR (CDCl3): 7.5 (d, 1H), 6.8 (m, 2H), 6.2 (t, 1 H), 4.2 (q, 2H), 3.8 (s, 3H), 3.3 (m, 2H), 3.0 (t, 2H), 1.3 (t, 3H). MS (CI) m/z 233 [M+H]+.