Synthesis of Aromatic Cycloketones via Intramolecular Friedel - Crafts Acylation Catalyzed by Heteropoly Acids

Abstract

Under liquid-phase conditions, the intramolecular Friedel–Crafts acylation of aryl benzoic acids catalyzed by heteropoly acids were investigated for the first time. Several aryl benzoic acids were refluxed and dehydrated in chlorobenzene in the presence of 0.2 equivalents of a heteropoly acid, and anthraquinone, anthrone, and xanthone were obtained in good yield. At the same time, an intermolecular Friedel–Crafts acylation and decarboxylation reaction were observed in this experiment.