4-Bromo-2-(4-fluoro-benzyl-idene)indan-1-one

(E)-2-(3,5-Dimethoxybenzylidene)indan-1-one

The title compound was prepared via a Claisen-Schmidt condensation through a solventless, green synthesis technique. The resulting crystals formed in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c, and adopting the common E configuration.

The title chalcone, C₁₈H₁₆O₃, was prepared by a solventless base-promoted Claisen–Schmidt condensation and, upon recrystallization from ethanol, obtained in 56% yield. The dihedral angle between the indanone ring system and the benzene ring is 2.54 (4) ° and the C atoms of the methoxy groups deviate from the benzene ring by 0.087 (1) and 0.114 (1) Å. In the crystal, π-stacking is the predominant inter­molecular force, with the mol­ecules stacking into columns running parallel to the b axis of the unit cell.