Substituted indenes can be synthesized via the Brønsted acid catalyzed cyclization of diaryl- and alkyl aryl-1,3-dienes. In this approach, treatment of symmetric or unsymmetric diaryl- and alkyl aryl-1,3-dienes with a catalytic amount of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid gives a variety of indene derivatives in good to excellent yields under mild conditions.