Friedel-Crafts acylations trifluoromethanesulfonic acid

Friedel-Crafts acylation using nittiles (other than HCN) and HCI is an extension of the Gattermann reaction, and is called the Houben-Hoesch reaction (120—122). These reactions give ketones and are usually appHcable to only activated aromatics, such as phenols and phenoHc ethers. The protonated nittile, ie, the nitrilium ion, acts as the electrophilic species in these reactions. Nonactivated ben2ene can also be acylated with the nittiles under superacidic conditions 95% trifluoromethanesulfonic acid containing 5% SbF (Hg > —18) (119). A dicationic diprotonated nittile intermediate was suggested for these reactions, based on the fact that the reactions do not proceed under less acidic conditions. The significance of dicationic superelectrophiles in Friedel-Crafts reactions has been discussed (123,124). 

Diaryl sulfones can be formed by treatment of aromatic compounds with aryl sulfonyl chlorides and a Friedel-Crafts catalyst. This reaction is analogous to Friedel-Crafts acylation with carboxylic acid halides (11-14). In a better procedure, the aromatic compound is treated with an aryl sulfonic acid and P2O5 in polypho-sphoric acid. Still another method uses an arylsulfonic trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride (ArS020S02CF3) (generated in situ from ArS02Br and CF3S03Ag) without a catalyst. ... 

On the other hand, rare-earth trifluoromethanesulfonates (rare earth triflate, RE(OTf)3) have been found to work efficiently as Lewis acids even in aqueous media or in the presence of amines [4], A catalytic amount of RE(OTf)3 enables several synthetically useful reactions, for example aldol, Michael, allylation, Mannich, Diels-Alder reactions, etc., to proceed. It has also been demonstrated that a small amount of RE(OTf)3 is enough to complete the reactions and that RE(OTf)3 can easily be recovered from the reaction mixture and can be reused. A key to accomplishing the catalytic processes was assumed to be the equilibrium between Lewis acids and Lewis bases, for example water, carbonyl compounds, and amines, etc. A similar equilibrium was expected between Lewis adds and aromatic ketones, and, thus, RE(OTf)3-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts acylation was investigated [5]. 

The most important method for the preparation of aryl ketones is known as Friedel-Crafts acylation. The reaction is of wide scope. Reagents other than acyl halides can be used," including carboxylic acids," anhydrides, and ketenes. Oxalyl chloride has been used to give diaryl 1,2-diketones." Carboxylic esters usually give alkylation as the predominant product (see 11-11)." A-Carbamoyl p-lactams reacted with naphthalene in the presence of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid to give the keto-amide." ... 

Hwang, J. P., Prakash, G. K. S., and Olah, G. A. 2000. Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid catalyzed novel Friedel-Crafts acylation of aromatics with methyl benzoate. Tetrahedron 56 7199-7203. 

Izumi, J. and Mukaiyama, T. 1996. The catalytic Friedel-Crafts acylation reaction of aromatic compounds with carboxylic anhydrides using combined catalysts system of titanium(IV) chloride tris(trifluoromethanesulfonate) and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid. Chem. Lett. 739-740. 

Kobayashi, S. and Iwamoto, S. 1998. Catalytic Friedel-Crafts acylation of benzene, chlorobenzene, and fluorobenzene using a novel catalyst system, hafnium triflate and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid. Tetrahedron Lett. 39 4697 700. 

Finally, it s worth emphasizing that trivalent bismuth salts such as the chloride, nitrate, and trifluoromethanesulfonate (triflate) are extremely attractive as Lewis acid catalysts. Applications include Friedel-Crafts acylations, Diels-Alder reactions, esterifications. 

A number of variations of the Friedel-Crafts reaction conditions are possible. Acid anhydrides can serve as the acylating agent in place of acid chlorides. Also, the carboxylic acid can be used directly, particularly in combination with strong acids. For example, mixtures of carboxylic acids with polyphosphoric acid, in which a mixed anhydride is presumably formed in situ, are reactive acylating agents. Similarly, carboxylic acids dissolved in trifluoromethanesulfonic acid can carry out Friedel-Crafts acylation. The reactive electrophile under these conditions is believed to be the protonated mixed anhydride. In these procedures, the leaving group... 

Friedel-Crafts Reactions. Aluminum trifluoromethanesulfonate has been used for the Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction of toluene with isopropyl and tert-butyl chlorides (eq 1), and for the acylation of benzene and toluene with acetyl and benzoyl chlorides in low to moderate yields. Intramolecular Friedel-Crafts acylation of an aromatic compound with Meldrum s acid has also been reported using catalytic amounts of Al(OTf)3. Acylation of 2-methoxynaphthalene with acetic anhydride has been reported using Al(OTf)3 and lithium perchlorate as an additive to afford the corresponding 6-acetylated adduct in 83% yield. Effective acylation of arenes with carboxylic acids has also been disclosed using polystyrene-supported Al(OTf)3. ... 

Friedel-Crafts Acylation. Catalytic Friedel-Crafts acylation of benzene and unactivated benzenes, such as chlorobenzene and fluorobenzene, has been successfully carried out using FIf(OTf)4 and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid as catalysts. Both aromatic and aliphatic carboxylic acid chlorides reacted smoothly under these conditions to afford the corresponding aromatic ketones in good yields (eq 22). ... 

The acylation of dibenzofuran is carried out under the usual Friedel-Crafts conditions with an acid chloride or an acid anhydride in the presence of aluminum chloride. Dibenzofuran on treatment with 2-trifluoromethane-sulfonyloxypyridine and benzoic acid in boiling trifluoroacetic acid produces the 2-benzoyl derivative in 75% yield. The species responsible for benzoyla-tion is probably a mixed anhydride of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid and benzoic acid. Dibenzofuran on treatment with 2-benzoyloxypyridine and trifluoroacetic acid also produces the 2-benzoyl compound (21%). The kinetics of the acetylation of dibenzofuran with acetyl chloride and aluminum chloride in nitroethane at 25"C have been studied. Only the 2-acetyl compound was detected by the methods used. The rate obtained is in general agreement with the studies mentioned previously. The rate of acetylation of diphenyl ether relative to toluene was 138 (+ 16), whereas that of dibenzofuran was 5.9 ( 0.3). In contrast, the benzoylation of dibenzofuran with benzoyl chloride in the presence of aluminum chloride in nitrobenzene at... 

Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, the strongest, known proton acid, which is extremely stable and non-oxidizing, has been used for Friedel-Crafts type acylations and hydrolytic desulfonation... 

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