Metal alkoxides Friedel-Crafts reaction

Aliphatic nitro compounds cannot as a rule be prepared in the same way as the aromatic nitro compounds. The more rapid oxidation of aliphatic hydrocarbons by nitric acid is the main interfering factor, so that conditions must be chosen which minimize oxidation and promote nitration. The oxidation reactions are of such complexity in these cases that no attempt will be made to formulate them. Only a summary of the conditions favoring nitration will be given. The use of a solvent such as ether for carrying out the reaction is often successful. Also dilute nitric acid has been used, and alkyl (generally ethyl) nitrate. In the Friedel-Crafts reaction with ethyl nitrate, aluminium chloride is used as catalyst. In aliphatic nitrations with ethyl nitrate, alkalis such as metal alkoxides (NaOC Hs) are found to be best. The use of alkalis brings out the similarity of this reaction to aldol condensations which are also favored by alkalis. An example of aliphatic nitration, in comparison with an aromatic one may be given ... 

The most important appHcation of metal alkoxides in reactions of the Friedel-Crafts type is that of aluminum phenoxide as a catalyst in phenol alkylation (205). Phenol is sufficientiy acidic to react with aluminum with the formation of (CgH O)2Al. Aluminum phenoxide, when dissolved in phenol, greatiy increases the acidic strength. It is beheved that, similar to alkoxoacids (206) an aluminum phenoxoacid is formed, which is a strong conjugate acid of the type HAl(OCgH )4. This acid is then the catalyticaHy active species (see Alkoxides, metal). 

Alkyl derivatives of metals such as aluminum, boron and zinc are fairly active Friedel-Crafts catalysts. However, hyperconjugative effects result in a lowering of the electron deficiency. In the case of metal alkoxides this effect is even stronger, and, as a result, they are fairly weak Lewis acids. Metal alkyls, such as alkylaluminums, alkylaluminum halides and sesquihalides are also vital components of Ziegler-Natta catalyst systems which sometimes are utilized for Friedel-Crafts-type reactions. For example, alkylations of aromatics with alkenes in the presence of a Ziegler-Natta catalyst such as AIR3 -1- TiCU results in lower-chain alkylates. Even alkylaluminum halides and sesquihalides serve as Friedel-Crafts catalysts. 

---