Friedel–Crafts alkylation in supercritical fluids: continuous, selective and clean

Abstract

Continuous Friedel–Crafts alkylation of mesitylene, C₆H₃Me₃, and anisole, C₆H₅OMe, with propene or propan-2-ol has been carried out in supercritical propene or CO₂ using a heterogeneous polysiloxane-supported solid acid Deloxan^® catalyst in a small fixed bed reactor (10 ml volume); 100% selectivity for mono-alkylated products with 50% conversion could be obtained by adjusting the reaction parameters, e.g. temperature, pressure, flow rates, etc.