Aromatic H/D Exchange Reaction Catalyzed by Groups 5 and 6 Metal Chlorides

Groups 5 and 6 metal chlorides such as MoCl5, WCl6, NbCl5 and TaCl5 were found to be simple and very efficient catalysts for the aromatic H/D exchange reactions. Compared with other metal chlorides such as ZnCl2, SnCl4 and TiCl4, groups 5 and 6 metal chlorides showed better catalytic activity in the H/D exchange reaction of naphthalene with C6D6. Deuteration of anthracene using MoCl5 as a catalyst proceeded within 24 h at room temperature. Other aromatic compounds such as toluene, diphenylmethane and 1,1,2-triphenylethane were also deuterated smoothly in C6D6 within 24 h at room temperature.