One‐Step Reaction of Friedel–Crafts Acylation and Demethylation of Aryl‐Methyl Ethers Catalyzed by Ytterbium(III) Triflate

Abstract

Catalytic amount of ytterbium(III) triflate [Yb(OTf)₃] has been used to catalyze Friedel–Crafts acylation and demethylation of aryl‐methyl ethers in one‐step reaction to produce hydroxyacylphenones with moderate yields under mild conditions.

Keywords:

• Demethylation
• Ethers
• Friedel–Crafts acylation
• Ytterbium(III) triflate

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the National Natural Science Foundation of China [20276072] for financial support.