To a solution of 1.85 g of sodium in 40 ml of ethanol, was added 10 g of
phthalide and 14.0 g of p-bromobenzaldehyde, and the reaction mixture was
heated on the steam bath for one hour. Water was then added, and the
alcohol was distilled off. Then after adding additional water, the reaction
mixture was acidified with hydrochloric acid to precipitate the crude product,
which was filtered off, dried and recrystallized from methanol. The 2-pbromophenylindandione
is in the form of dark red crystals, having a melting
point of 133-135°C.
