Reaction of benzaldesoxybeneoin (I) with phosphorus pentachloride in methylene chloride led to a mixture of products from which l-chlor0-2~ 3-diphenylindene (V) was obtained in 30% yield. In a similar reaction in carbon tetrachloride a different mixture of products was obtained from which 3, 3-dichloro-1, 2, 3-triphenylpro-pene (VII) was isolated in 47% yield. These results are discussed in the light of the fact that phosphorus pentachloride is ...
