In(OTf) 3 -catalyzed intramolecular hydroarylation of α-phenylallyl β-ketosulfones - synthesis of sulfonyl 1-benzosuberones and 1-tetralones.

In(OTf) 3 -catalyzed intramolecular hydroarylation of α-phenylallyl β-ketosulfones provides sulfonyl 1-benzosuberones and 1-tetralones in moderate to good yields in refluxing (CH 2 Cl) 2 under open-vessel and easy-operation reaction conditions. A plausible mechanism is proposed and discussed. This highly regioselective protocol provides an atom-economic ring-closure route.