The reactivity of indan-1-one (1a) and/or indan-1,3-dione (1b) towards alky
lation in the absence or presence of carbon disulphide under phase transfer
catalysis (PTC) conditions has been investigated to give indanone derivati
ves 2-9. Michael addition of(1a,b) to alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compo
unds under the same PTC conditions yielded the adducts 10-16.