DE1542892

1,1,4,6,7 - Pentamethyl - 5 - indanylmethylketone, 1,1 - dimethyl - 4,6 - diisopropyl - 5 - indanylmethylketone, 1,1 - dimethyl - 4,6 - diisopropyl - 5 - indanylethylketone, 1,4-dimethyl-1 - ethyl - 7 - isopropyl - 5 - indanylmethylketone, 4,6 - dimethyl - 5 - indanylmethylketone and 4,6,7 - trimethyl - 5 - indanylmethylketone are prepared by the Friedel-Crafts acylation of the corresponding indane. 5 - Formyl - 6 - isopropyl - 1,1,4 - trimethyl indane is prepared by refluxing a mixture of 5 - chloromethyl - 6 - isopropyl - 1,1,4 - trimethylindane, acetic acid, water and hexamethylene tetramine, and adding hydrochloric acid to the refluxed solution. The chloromethyl starting material is prepared from the appropriate indane using paraformaldehyde, HCl and ZnCl2.ALSO:A herbicidal composition comprises a compound of the formula:- wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical with from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, with the proviso that at least one of the radicals R1 is a hydrogen atom, and wherein R2 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl radical with from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an acyl radical or a cycloalkyl radical, with the proviso that at least one of the radicals R2 must be an acyl radical, dissolved in or dispersed on an agricultural carrier. The composition may take the form of a dust, wettable powder, solution or aqueous emulsion.