Abstract 1-[4-(3-Chloropropanoyl) phenyl]-2-phenylethanedione (I) was prepared by Friedel- Crafts acylation of (3-chloropropyl) benzene with phenylacetyl chloride, oxidation with SeO 2 of the resulting 1-[4-(3-chloropropyl) phenyl]-2-phenyl-1-ethanone (IV) to 1-[4-(3- chloropropyl) phenyl]-2-phenylethanedione (V), and subsequent transformation of its benzyl CH 2 group to carbonyl, via bromo (VI), acetoxy (VII) and hydroxy (VIII) derivatives.