In my thesis, I tested the alternative method of acylating aromatic compounds with carboxylic anhydrides and trifluoroacetic acid. Trifluoroacetic acid has a catalytic role in the reaction and it serves as a solvent. The reaction is a greener alternative to classic acylation where metal halides are used and are lost in the reaction. Contrary to metal halides, trifluoroacetic acid can be recycled and used for further reactions. This kind of acylation gives acceptable yields on 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene and on 2-methoxynaphtalene. Synthesised products are easily purified because almost no by-products are formed in the process.
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