Abstract An efficient two-step method for the synthesis of 1, 3-diaryl-2-methoxyindenes from 1-(1-aryl-2-methoxyvinyl)-2-bromobenzenes has been developed. Thus, the reaction of 2-(1- aryl-2-methoxyvinyl) phenyllithiums, generated in situ by halogen–lithium exchange between 1-(1-aryl-2-methoxyvinyl)-2-bromobenzenes and butyllithium, with aromatic aldehydes gives aryl [2-(1-aryl-2-methoxyvinyl) phenyl] methanols, which in turn are ...