Zinc Mediated Friedel-Crafts Acylation in Solvent-Free Conditions under Microwave Irradiation

Zn powder is found to catalyze the Friedel-Crafts acylation of aromatic compounds with acyl halides efficiently under microwave irradiation in solvent-free conditions. Activated substrates undergo acylation predominantly at the para-position. The Zn powder can be re-used up to six times after simple washing with diethyl ether and dilute HCl.