Rare Earth Solid Superacid Catalyzed Friedel–Crafts Acylation of Ferrocene

Abstract

The Friedel–Crafts acylation of ferrocene catalyzed by a new type of catalyst of rare-earth solid superacid sulfated zirconia SZR³⁺ was developed. Comparison of catalytic activities between different solid acid catalysts is presented. The catalyst, sulfated zirconia ytterbium SZNYb³⁺, showed interesting catalytic properties for preparation of acylferrocenes. Furthermore, the catalyst could be regenerated and reused in succession after simple filtration.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• Acyl chlorides
• ferrocene
• Friedel–Crafts acylation
• rare-earth solid superacid

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The project is generously supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Inner Mongolia of China (No. 20080404ZD04).

Notes

^a All the reactions were performed in a 1:2 molar ratio of ferrocene (2 mmol) and the acylchloride in dichloroethane under reflux temperature.

^b Yield of isolated product after chromatography, calculated based on the reacted ferrocene.

^a All the reactions were performed in a 1:2 molar ratio of ferrocene (2 mmol) and heptanoyl chloride in dichloroethane under reflux temperature.

^b Yield of isolated product after chromatography, calculated based on the reacted ferrocene.

^a Yield of isolated product after chromatography, calculated based on the reacted ferrocene.

^a All the reactions were performed in a 1:2 molar ratio of ferrocene (2 mmol) and the heptanoyl chloride in dichloroethane under reflux temperature.

^b Yield of isolated product after chromatography, calculated based on the reacted ferrocene.