Phenol acylation graphite

Graphite combined with methanesulfonic acid represents an effective catalyst for the acylation of phenols and naphthols, wifh carboxylic acids giving a good yield of ortho-hydroxy aryl ketones (Table 5.4). The reactions seem to be faster with activated aromatic carboxylic acids. It must be emphasized that, in the absence of graphite, in the model reaction between mefa-cresol and BAC, the product is isolated in lower yield (20% versus 81%). 

Table 5.4 Promotion of acylation of phenols with carboxylic acids by graphite-methanesulfonic acid...

Sharghi, H., Hosseini-Sarvari, M., and Eskandari, R. 2006. Direct acylation of phenol derivatives in a mixture of graphite and methanesulfonic acid. Synthesis 2047-2052. 

Surface oxides on graphite undergo the reactions typical of carboxylic acids, phenols and alcohols. Methylation with diazomethane or dimethylsulfate, silanization of—OH groups by reaction with halosilanes, formation of acyl chlorides by reaction with thionyl chloride, further reactions of these acyl chlorides, neutralization of acidic surface groups with different bases, ion exchange and more special reactions are used to characterize surface oxides on carbon and to modify their properties for technical applications . 

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