Friedel-Crafts acylation reactions in pyridinium based ionic liquids

The Friedel-Crafts acylations of representative aromatic compounds with acetic anhydride in pyridinium based ionic liquids (ILs) were investigated. The effect of factors such as reactant composition, catalyst-IL composition, catalyst dosage and reaction temperature were studied. The reactions were found to proceed under relatively mild conditions with excellent conversions; and a simple product isolation procedure was achieved. ILs could also be recycled and reused effectively, thus rendering green characteristic to this reaction.