Nafion-H as a Catalyst for Organic Reactions

Nafion-H resins can be used as a strong acid catalyst for a variety of organic reactions. A comprehensive review of the topic has been published. Some examples are described below. 

Nafion-H gives a convenient and eilicient method of acylation of benzene and substituted benzenes with aroyl chloride. The acylation reactions were carried out by heating under reflux a stirred mixture of the corresponding benzoyl chloride, arene, and the Nafion-H catalyst. 

Acylation reactions using Nafion-H was reported 2dso by Krepan.  

Nafion-H is an efficent catalyst for Diels-Alder reactions (Table 3.39). The reactions of anthracene with maleic anhydride, dimethyl maleate, and dimethyl fuma late were carried out at 333 — 353 K in the presence of Nafion-H catalyst in either chloroform or benzene solvent. It should be noted that the reaction of dienophiles with very reactive dienes such as isoprene and 2,3-dimethylbutadiene can be carried out at room temperature to give the adduct in hi( yields. In usual systems, highly reactive dienophiles undergo polymerization during the desired reactions. In Diels-Alder reactions catalyzed by Friedel-Crafts Lewis acid catalysts, excess amounts of Lewis acid halides are required because of the formation of the complex between the halide and carbonyl oxygen atoms. Here again, Nafion-H catalysts allow easy and clean separation of products and the catalysts are not destroyed upon work up. 

Dienophile Diene Reaction time [h] Yield [%] of adduct 

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