Indium(III) chloride catalyzed one step synthesis of some new dibenzo(d,f)(1,3)dioxepines and 12H-dibenzo(d,g)(1,3)dioxocin derivatives

In the presence of catalytic amount of indium(III) chloride (10 mol %), 2,2′-dihydroxybiphenyl and bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)methane react quickly, without using any solvent, with ketones or β-keto esters possessing at least one hydrogen atom in α to the ketone-carbonyl group, to afford some new dibenzo(d,f)(1,3)dioxepines and some 12H-dibenzo(d,g)(1,3)dioxocin derivatives, respectively.