Solvent Affected Facile Synthesis of Hydroxynaphthyl Ketones: Lewis Acids Promoted Friedel–Crafts and Demethylation Reaction

Hydroxynaphthyl ketones were obtained with high yields under very mild conditions in the presence of AlCl3 via Friedel–Crafts acylation and demethylation from naphthyl ethers. Several Lewis acids were tested, and AlCl3 was the most efficient catalyst.