An efficient protocol for the straightforward, single-step synthesis of 3-aryl-1-indanones from 2'iodochalcone via reductive Heck reaction using phosphine free, stable and reusable binaphthyl stabilized palladium nanoparticle (Pd-BNP) as a catalyst has been described. An immense array of substrate scope with electron-rich and deficient 2'-iodochalcones have been synthesized. Further derivatization of product indanones have been achieved successfully. The heterogeneous nature of the Pd-BNP has been validated by centrifugation test and mercury poisoning experiment. Pd-BNP has been successfully recycled up to 5 cycles without any significant loss in reaction yield and particle size of nanoparticles, confirmed by TEM analysis.
3-(4-(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-one(2 r): 78% yield (53.8 mg); Yellow liquid; R f 0.53 (10% ethyl acetate in hexanes); 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ): δ 2.66 (dd, cm À 1 ; HRMS (m/z): [M + Na] + calcd for C 16 H 11 OF 3 Na: 299.0660; found: 299.0651. 3-(3-Nitrophenyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-one (2 s): 70% yield (44.3 mg); Greenish solid; mp 125°C; R f 0.42 (20% ethyl acetate in hexanes); 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ): δ 2.66 (dd,