Friedel-Crafts alkylations, gallium

In addition, boron, aluminum, and gallium tris(triduoromethanesulfonates) (tridates), M(OTf)2 and related perduoroalkanesulfonates were found effective for Friedel-Crafts alkylations under mild conditions (200). These Lewis acids behave as pseudo haUdes. Boron tris(tridate) shows the highest catalytic activity among these catalysts. A systematic study of these catalysts in the alkylation of aromatics such as benzene and toluene has been reported (201). 

Reaction type (d) also complicates the Friedel-Crafts alkylation of benzene (a type c/b reaction, p. 141) by 1-bromopropane, MeCH2-CH2Br, in the presence of gallium bromide, GaBr3, as Lewis acid... 

Several new effective Friedel-Crafts catalysts have been developed. These include triflate93 (trifluoromethanesulfonate) derivatives of boron, aluminum, and gallium [M(0S02CF3)3]. Trichlorolanthanides have also been proved to be active reusable catalysts in benzylation.94 Superacids as catalysts are also very efficient in many Friedel-Crafts alkylations.95... 

Alkylation of Aromatics. Aromatic hydrocarbons containing a replaceable hydrogen can be alkylated unless steric effects prevent introduction of the alkyl group (61,78-82). The reaction is called the Friedel-Crafts alkylation, first realized in the presence of aluminum chloride, which is the catalyst still the most frequently used and studied in Friedel-Crafts reactions. In addition, many other acid catalysts are effective (80,82-84). These include other Lewis acids (other aluminum halides, gallium chloride, boron trifluoride, ferric chloride, zinc chloride, stannous and stannic chloride, antimony chloride) and protic acids (hydrogen fluoride, concentrated sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, polyphosphoric acid, trifluo-romethanesulfonic acid, and alkane- and arenesulfonic acids). 

Friedel-Crafts Alkylation and Acylation Reactions. Alcohols and alkyl halides react with aromatics in the presence of gallium triflate to give the corresponding alkylated products. Since Ga(OTf)3 does not decompose in the presence of water, alcohols can be used as good alkylating agents. Alkylation of benzene... 

There are relatively few kinetic data on the Friedel-Crafts reaction. Alkylation of benzene or toluene with methyl bromide or ethyl bromide with gallium bromide as catalyst is first-order in each reactant and in catalyst. With aluminum bromide as catalyst, the rate of reaction changes with time, apparently because of heterogeneity of the reaction mixture. The initial rate data fit the kinetic expression ... 

Triflates of boron, aluminum, and gallium were found to be efficient catalysts in Friedel-Crafts acylations.46 However, these are water-sensitive materials and were required to be used in equimolar quantities to be effective. More recently various water-tolerant and recyclable triflate salts, which were also tested in alkylation, were found to exhibit similar good characteristics in Friedel-Crafts acylations. Although benzene cannot be acylated, Sc triflate,47 48 lanthanum triflates,48-51 and Hf triflate52 usually give high yields of aryl ketones in acylation with acid anhydrides. In many cases, Li perchlorate was found to accelerate the reactions.48 52... 

Inflates of aluminum, gallium and boron, which are readily available by the reaction of the corresponding chlorides with triflic acid, are effective Friedel-Crafts catalysts for alkylation and acylation of aromatic compounds [119, 120] Thus alkylation of toluene with various alkyl halides in the presence of these catalysts proceeds rapidly at room temperature 111 methylene chloride or ni-tromethane Favorable properties of the Inflates in comparison with the correspond 1 ng fluorides or chlorides are considerably decreased volatility and higher catalytic activity [120]... 

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