Synlett 2006(7): 1063-1066  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-939705
LETTER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Application of the Catalytic Friedel-Crafts Acylation Reaction and ­Regioselectivity Correlations

Mark C. Wilkinson*, Fabienne Saez, Wei Lee (Emma) Hon
GlaxoSmithKline, Chemical Development, Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, SG1 2NY, UK
Fax: +44(1438)764869; e-Mail: Mark.C.Wilkinson@GSK.com;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 6 January 2006
Publication Date:
24 April 2006 (online)

Abstract

A correlation was found between electronic properties and regioselectivity in the Friedel-Crafts reaction of substituted phenylacetic and benzoic acids with anisole, utilising substoichiometric (down to 1 mol%) amounts of catalyst. Relative reactivities of selected catalysts for this reaction were also studied.

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Lewis acids: TMSOTf, Hf(OTf)4, Yb(OTf)3, Cu(OTf)2, In(OTf)3, Zn(OTf)2, CuI, TMSI, AlCl3, ZnCl2, TiCl4, BiCl3, FeCl3, Fe3O4, ZnO, Al2O3, Ti(Oi-Pr)2Cl2, Ti(Oi-Pr)4, BF3·OEt2, Zn(OAc)2, CeSO4·8H2O, H3(PW12O40), graphite. Brønsted acids: oxalic acid, trichloroacetic acid, TFA, HCl, HBr, H2SO4, HNO3, TfOH, H3PO4.