A convenient and efficient method for the highly regioselecfive synthesis of indene derivatives 4 and 5 from tetraaryl substituted 1,3-butadienes 3 was described. The method involves an intramolecular Friedel-Crafts cyclization and a corresponding double-bond positional shift of isomers 4 and 5 in the presence of different Lewis acids under mild conditions with higher than 90% yields.
