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The merging of dual organocycles of the bicyclic amidine base 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-en (DBU) was demonstrated for the synthesis of alpha-benzylated 1-indanones. A highly reactive enolate intermediate was formed in the presence of DBU, which reacted with DBU/benzyl bromide salt to afford the product at 50 8C temperature. This simple and straightforward transformation using safer DBU reagent with easily available substrates and excellent yield provides a better alternative to the previously reported methods that required pyrophoric, costly reagents and high or very low-temperature reaction conditions. CIMAP Communication number: CIMAP/PUB/2022/3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]