Chemoselective C-benzoylation of phenols by using AlCl3 under solvent-free conditions

Substituted phenols were chemo-selectively reacted with benzoylchloride in presence of aluminum chloride under solvent-free condition to afford the corresponding 2'-hydroxy aryl benzophenones in excellent yields (72-96%). Naphthol benzoylation resulted in lower yields as compared to phenols. Both reactions completed in 5-10 min with quantitative yields providing excellent control over regioselectivity of products. KEY WORDS: Chemoselective C-acylation, F-C reaction, Fries rearrangement Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2015, 29(2), 319-325DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v29i2.14