Process for preparing 2-carboalkoxy-1-indanones

The process for the preparation of a 2-carboalkoxy-1-indanone of Formula I:

• ##STR4## comprising reacting a 1-indanone of Formula II ##STR5## with at least one molar equivalent of a dialkyl carbonate of the formula (R.sup.2 O).sub.2 C=O in an aprotic solvent in the presence of a base MOR.sup.2 and removing alcohol R.sup.2 OH by distillation as it is formed from the reaction of the indanone of Formula I with the dialkyl carbonate
• wherein:
• R.sup.1 is selected from the group H, R.sup.3, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkoxyalkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkylthioalkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 cycloalkyl, C.sup.3 -C.sub.6 fluorocycloalkyl, halogen, OR.sup.3, SR.sup.3, S(O)R.sup.3, S(O).sub.2 CF.sub.3, S(O).sub.2 CF.sub.2 R.sup.3, OS(O).sub.2 R.sup.3 ;
• CO.sub.2 R.sup.2, NR.sup.3 R.sup.4, NO.sub.2, phenyl optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R.sup.5 and benzyl optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R.sup.5 ;
• R.sup.2 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl;
• R.sup.3 is selected from the group C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, and C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 fluoroalkyl;
• R.sup.4 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl;
• R5 is selected from the group halogen, NO.sub.2, C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 fluoroalkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkoxy C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 fluoroalkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkylthio, C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 fluoroalkylthio, SO.sub.2 CF.sub.3, SO.sub.2 CF.sub.2 R.sup.3, and
• M is an alkali metal.