Cyclopent[a]indene (benzopentalene, 7) is generated by flash vacuum pyrolysis of 3-phenylphthalic anhydride (6), biphenylene (3) or diphenic anhydride (4). It dimerises readily and adds cyclopentadiene above -70 degrees C, but it does not equilibrate at 900 degrees C with as-indacene (1).