Friedel Crafts acylation of aromatic compounds over arenesulfonic containing mesostructured SBA-15 materials

Abstract

Arenesulfonic modified mesostructured SBA-15 is shown as an active catalyst for acylation of aromatic compounds using acetic anhydride as acylating agent. The arenesulfonic acid-centers located within the mesostructured SBA-15 show a greater reaction rate (normalised on the concentration of sulfonic groups) as compared to other sulfonated catalysts and even in solventless conditions. This high activity is accompanied with a remarkable stability without leaching of sulphur species during the reaction. Moreover, an increase of the amount of acid centres does not modify the activity of the material per acid center. Thus, this work introduces a new application of these sulfonated mesostructured materials, not described in literature up to now, and in an important organic reaction.