A new synthesis of indanes with monofluorinated and gem-difluoroalkyl side chains

The preparation of the new title compounds has been performed using a short and efficient strategy. Starting from appropriately substituted propargylic fluorides, intramolecular enyne metathesis reactions afford in excellent yields 1,3 dienes with the fluorinated side chains in internal position. Then, simple Diels–Alder-aromatisation sequences complete the synthesis of the target molecules.