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(1 Z)-1-(2,2-Dimethylpropylidene)-1 H-isobenzofuranium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amides were synthesized through 5- exo cyclization reactions between sterically encumbered o-alkynylbenzophenones and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (Tf2NH). It was confirmed that the five-membered-ring isobenzofuranium amide isomerized to give the corresponding benzopyrylium amide, the six-membered-ring framework compound, in quantitative yield. Treatment of less encumbered o-alkynylbenzophenones with Tf2NH at ambient temperature resulted in acid-promoted hydration and sequential intramolecular aldol condensation reactions to afford 3-aryl-1 H-inden-1-one derivatives in good yields. The proposed reaction mechanism was strongly supported by the reaction behaviour of 4-chloro- and 5-methoxy-2-ethynylbenzophenone derivatives as substrates with Tf2NH, leading to the formation of the corresponding 3-aryl-1 H-inden-1-ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]