Friedel-Crafts alkylations trifluoromethanesulfonate

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... 

Protection of phenols by the foregoing methods is complicated by the rapid Friedel-Crafts rearrangement of the nascent rm-butyl ether. By using trifluoro-methanesulfonic add at -78 PC, the rate of /erf-butyl ether formation is fast and the Friedel-Crafts alkylation does not compete [Scheme 4.126].226 Similarly, attempts to deprotect phenol ferf-butyl ethers with trifluoroacetic acid or titanium tetrachloride may give complex mixtures, again as a result of Friedel-Crafts alkylation of the phenol but this side reaction can be suppressed by using a catalytic amount of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid in 2.2,2-trifluoroethanol as solvent at -5 DC. 

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. ... 

Oxetanes have also been used as alkylating agents in the Friedel-Crafts reaction for example, 2-isopropyloxetane was reacted with benzene in superacidic trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFSA) to give a mixture of alkylated aromatic products (Equation 9) <2003CAL1>. The main product of the reaction was the tetralin derivative 46 which could be isolated in up to 75% yield. Other notable side products are shown, resulting from monoalkylation or other skeletal rearrangements. 

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." ... 

Hachiya, I., Moriwaki, M., Kobayashi, S. Hafnium(IV) trifluoromethanesulfonate, an efficient catalyst for the Friedel-Crafts acylation and alkylation reactions. Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn. 1995, 68, 2053-2060. 

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