An improved process for the preparation of 1-indanones from various benzoic acids is described. This process involves a Friedel Crafts acylation between a substituted benzoyl chloride and ethylene, followed by an intramolecular Friedel-Crafts alkylation in the presence of aluminum chloride. The described process combines three steps into a one-pot process, is scalable, is cost-effective, and thus has a general applicability in manufacturing production of various 1-indanones.