Formation of 2-arylindane-1,3-diones and 3-alkylphthalides from methyl o-[α-phenylsulfonyl]toluate

2-Aryl-1,3-indanedione and phthalide derivatives have attracted considerable interest due to their anticoagulant, parasiticidal and a range of biological activities. The synthesis of 2-aryl-1,3-indanedione by the condensation of the title sulfone with aryl aldehydes through an interesting pathway and a previously unreported approach to 3-alkylphthalide from C-alkylated derivatives of 1 under microwave and conventional heating conditions are described.