Zncl2@MWCNTs nanocomposite as an efficient and reusable catalyst for direct regioselective ortho C-acylation of phenolic compounds under solvent-free and microwave conditions

Abstract

In this research, the ortho C-acylation of some phenol and naphthol derivatives was catalyzed by ZnCl2, supported on multi-walled carbon nanotubes as a new nanocomposite Lewis acid catalyst. The reaction was performed under solvent-free and microwave conditions. In the presence of this heterogeneous catalyst, a variety of phenol and naphthol moieties were converted to C-acylated compounds with full selectivity on the ortho position. Also, this method is an effective approach for acylation of catechol, resorcinol, hydroquinone and their derivatives. In this process, the products were obtained in short reaction times and excellent yields.