Friedel-Crafts reactions aluminum trifluoromethanesulfonate

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. ... 

Boron tris(trifluoromethanesulfonate). This triflate is obtained by reaction of BC1, with triflic acid in S02C1F at -78°. Distillation at reduced pressure provides a solid, m. p. 45°, b. p. 68-73°/0.5 mm. It is extremely hygroscopic, and is soluble m CRiC, CHjNOi, CH CN. Aluminum and gallium triflate are poorly soluble in the common solvents. All three triflates can function as Friedel-Crafts catalysts, but the boron triflate is the most effective as a soluble catalyst. ... 

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