Eco-friendly and efficient Friedel–Crafts acylation of activated arenes catalyzed with low-loaded ferric chloride in propylene carbonate as the solvent: scope and mechanistic insights

The Friedel-Crafts acylation of arenes is a fundamental reaction extensively employed in both academic research and industrial applications. A significant limitation of this reaction is the requirement for stoichiometric amounts of Lewis acid catalysts, which are typically sensitive and generate considerable waste. In this study, we present an improved catalytic approach for the Friedel-Crafts acylation of activated arenes. Using acyl chlorides and acid anhydrides as acylating agents, the reaction is efficiently catalyzed by 5 mol% iron(iii) chloride in propylene carbonate, an environmentally friendly solvent that outperforms traditional solvents in maintaining high reaction efficiency under catalytic conditions. This green methodology demonstrates high effectiveness and broad applicability, yielding aromatic ketones in good to excellent yields. Preliminary DFT calculations were carried out to rationalize the mechanism of the reaction.