5,6-Dimethoxy-1-indanone (I) was selectively nitrated at position 7 by means of NaNO2 in trifluoroacetic acid. Acid-catalyzed aldol condensation of the resulting nitroindanone (II) with 3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (III) afforded the E-unsaturated ketone (IV). Finally, reduction of the nitro group of (IV) with either sodium dithionite or zinc dust and AcOH yielded the corresponding amino derivative.