Heating p-fluorobenzaldehyde (I) with propionic anhydride (II) in the presence of sodium propionate affords methyl cinnamic acid derivative (III), which is then hydrogenated over Pd/C in EtOH to provide methyl hydrocinnamic acid derivative (IV). Ring closure of (IV) is then performed by heating with polyphosphoric acid to yield methylindanone derivative (V). Condensation of (V) with cyanoacetic acid (VI) by means of ammonium acetate and HOAc in refluxing toluene, followed by treatment with KOH in refluxing EtOH, provides acetic acid derivative (VII), which is then condensed with 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzaldehyde (VIII) by heating with NaOMe in MeOH to give substituted benzylidene derivative (IX). The target product can be finally obtained either by direct condensation of (IX) with benzylamine (XI) by means of DMAP and EDC in DMA or by first conversion of (IX) into the corresponding acetyl chloride by reaction with oxalyl chloride in refluxing THF, followed by coupling with benzylamine (XI) in CH2Cl2. Alternatively, the desired compound can also be obtained by coupling of acetic acid derivative (VII) with benzylamine (XI) by means of DMAP, EDC in DMA to afford N-benzyl acetamide derivative (XII), followed by condensation with 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzaldehyde (VIII) by heating with NaOMe in MeOH.