Title:Catalytic, Green and Regioselective Friedel-Crafts Acylation of Simple Aromatics and Heterocycles Over Zeolites
VOLUME: 19 ISSUE: 7
Author(s):Gamal A. El-Hiti, Keith Smith and Amany S. Hegazy
Affiliation:Cornea Research Chair, Department of Optometry, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 10219, Riyadh 11433, Saudi Arabia and School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK.
Keywords:Acylating reagents, aromatics, Friedel-Crafts acylation, heterocycles, regioselective, zeolite catalysts.
Abstract:Traditional Friedel-Crafts acylation reactions of aromatics suffer from low regio-selectivity towards
para- or more linear isomers and usually require stoichiometric quantities of Lewis acids, which are hydrolysed to
produce toxic waste during aqueous work-up. Zeolites can catalyse and enhance the selectivity in Friedel-Crafts
acylation reactions of simple aromatics and heterocycles. For example, high regioselectivity was achieved in acylation
of aromatic ethers, aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocycles over zeolites. This brief review highlights the importance
of zeolites to enhance the regioselectivity in Friedel-Crafts acylation reactions.
