1-[4-(3-Chloropropanoyl)phenyl]-2-phenylethanedione (I) was prepared by Friedel-Crafts acylation of (3-chloropropyl)benzene with phenylacetyl chloride, oxidation with SeO2 of the resulting 1-[4-(3-chloropropyl)phenyl]-2-phenyl-1-ethanone (IV) to 1-[4-(3-chloropropyl)phenyl]-2-phenylethanedione (V), and subsequent transformation of its benzyl CH2 group to carbonyl, via bromo (VI), acetoxy (VII) and hydroxy (VIII) derivatives.