Synthesis of silyl indenes by ruthenium-catalyzed aldehyde- and acylsilane-enabled C-H alkylation/cyclization.

A ruthenium-catalyzed C-H alkylation/cyclization sequence is presented to prepare silyl indenes with atom and step-economy. This domino reaction is triggered by acyl silane-directed C-H activation, and an aldehyde controlled the following enol cyclization/condensation other than ß-H elimination. The protocol tolerates a broad substitution pattern, and the further synthetic elaboration of silyl indenes allows access to a diverse range of interesting indene and indanone derivatives.