3-Phenylindan-1-one (III) is prepared by either condensation between cinnamic acid (I) and benzene in the presence of AlCl3 or by Friedel-Crafts cyclization of 3,3-diphenylpropionic acid (II) in hot polyphosphoric acid. Claisen condensation of indanone (III) with diethyl carbonate affords keto ester (IV), which is further converted to enamino ester (V) upon treatment with ammonium acetate in boiling EtOH. Clauson-Kaas condensation of aminoindene (V) with 2,5-dimethoxytetrahydrofuran (VI) provides a mixture of isomeric pyrrolyl indenes (VII) and (VIII). Subsequent reduction of this mixture with NaBH4/NiCl2 affords the epimeric mixture of indanes (IX). Alkaline hydrolysis of esters (IX) proceeds with epimerization at C-2 to furnish the trans-trans acid (X). After activation of acid (X) as the corresponding mixed anhydride with ethyl chloroformate, coupling with pyrrolidine yields the target amide.