Synthesis and aikylation of CIS-α-hydroxyisopropylindanone-2-carboxylic acid lactone

The Meldrum's acid adduct of isobutyrophenone was cyclized directly and in high yield to the title compound, which could then be alkylated at the 2-position with methyl iodide or ethyl 6-bromohexanoate. In the latter case, acid hydrolysis of the resultant ester gave the analogous acid, but alkaline hydrolysis resulted in ring opening of the indanone portion of the molecule.