Heterogeneous catalysis by solid superacids *114. Perfluorinated resinsulfonic acid (Nafion-H)-catalyzed friedel-crafts alkylation of toluene and phenol with alkyl chloroformates and oxalates

Perfluorinated resinsulfonic acid (Nafion-H)-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts alkylation of toluene and phenol with alkyl chloroformates and oxalates was studied, in both liquid- and gas-phase reactions. Alkylations gave good yields in clean reactions without the need for any complex decompositions or workup. No acylation side products were formed in the reactions. The question of C- versus O-alkylation is discussed.