Chloride → 2-(4-Fluorophenylmethyl)indene

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a suspension of freshly ground magnesium (0.58 g, 23 mmol) in 100 mL of ether was added about 3 mL of a 15 mL ether solution containing 3.0 g (21 mmol) of 4-fluorophenylmethyl chloride. The system was carefully heated and after initiation of the reaction, the remaining chloride solution added over 30 minutes while maintain a gentle reflux. After refluxing for 1.5 hours, the Grignard solution was cooled and cannulated to a mixture of 3.65 g (19 mmol) of 2-bromo-indene, 150 mg (0.20 mmol) of NiCl2(dppp) and 100 mL of ether. The system was gently heated to reflux overnight and then cooled and quenched by adding 150 mL of 1.0 M aqueous hydrochloric acid. The product was isolated and purified (hexanes/silica) as for 2-benzyl-indene. Yield: 3.45 g, 74 percent

Provenance & Evidence