A convenient and versatile procedure for the straightforward synthesis of substituted fluorenones as valuable scaffolds is described under rhodium catalysis. The present [2 + 2 + 2] cycloadditionreaction of diynes with 3-acetoxy or-3-alkoxyindenones as surrogates of the highly reactive benzocyclopentynone 2π partner allows the preparation of various fluorenone-type derivatives in good yields and provides