A series of substituted indenes were synthesized from arenes and cinnamaldehydes via aluminum chloride-promoted tandem Friedel-Crafts alkylation. The scope and limitation of the tandem reaction were explored. A plausible reaction mechanism is also discussed. This approach provides a convenient method for the synthesis of indene derivatives using a readily available and low cost Lewis acid and starting materials. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.