A method for producing a 1-aryl-2-tetralone, the method comprising reacting a compound comprising the formula I wherein m is from 1 to 5; and R 1 comprises hydrogen, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, a cycloalkoxy group, a hydroxy group, an amino group, a carboxylic acid group, an ester, a fluoro group, a perfluoroalkyl group, a nitrile group, an alkenyl, alkynyl group, an aryl group, a protected group or a fused ring; and wherein the compound comprising the formula I may have one or more fused rings fused to the aryl ring, with a compound comprising the formula II wherein n is from 1 to 4; and R 2 comprises hydrogen, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, a cycloalkoxy group, a hydroxy group, an amino group, a carboxylic acid group, an ester, a fluoro group, a perfluoroalkyl group, a nitrile group, an alkenyl, alkynyl group, an aryl group, a protected group, or a fused aromatic group or cycloalkyl group; in the presence of a bisphosphinoferrocene palladium catalyst comprising the formula III wherein R 3 -R 6 are, independently an isopropyl group, a butyl group, a t -butyl group or a cyclohexyl group, and wherein R 3 -R 6 are the same or different group, and X is a halide and an alkali metal alkoxide base, wherein the 1-aryl-2-tetralone is substituted at the 1-position. wherein m is from 1 to 5; and R 1 comprises hydrogen, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, a cycloalkoxy group, a hydroxy group, an amino group, a carboxylic acid group, an ester, a fluoro group, a perfluoroalkyl group, a nitrile group, an alkenyl, alkynyl group, an aryl group, a protected group or a fused ring; and wherein the compound comprising the formula I may have one or more fused rings fused to the aryl ring, with a compound comprising the formula II wherein n is from 1 to 4; and R 2 comprises hydrogen, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, a cycloalkoxy group, a hydroxy group, an amino group, a carboxylic acid group, an ester, a fluoro group, a perfluoroalkyl group, a nitrile group, an alkenyl, alkynyl group, an aryl group, a protected group, or a fused aromatic group or cycloalkyl group; in the presence of a bisphosphinoferrocene palladium catalyst comprising the formula III wherein R 3 -R 6 are, independently an isopropyl group, a butyl group, a t -butyl group or a cyclohexyl group, and wherein R 3 -R 6 are the same or different group, and X is a halide and an alkali metal alkoxide base, wherein the 1-aryl-2-tetralone is substituted at the 1-position. wherein n is from 1 to 4; and R 2 comprises hydrogen, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, a cycloalkoxy group, a hydroxy group, an amino group, a carboxylic acid group, an ester, a fluoro group, a perfluoroalkyl group, a nitrile group, an alkenyl, alkynyl group, an aryl group, a protected group, or a fused aromatic group or cycloalkyl group; in the presence of a bisphosphinoferrocene palladium catalyst comprising the formula III wherein R 3 -R 6 are, independently an isopropyl group, a butyl group, a t -butyl group or a cyclohexyl group, and wherein R 3 -R 6 are the same or different group, and X is a halide and an alkali metal alkoxide base, wherein the 1-aryl-2-tetralone is substituted at the 1-position. wherein R 3 -R 6 are, independently an isopropyl group, a butyl group, a t -butyl group or a cyclohexyl group, and wherein R 3 -R 6 are the same or different group, and X is a halide and an alkali metal alkoxide base, wherein the 1-aryl-2-tetralone is substituted at the 1-position.