Catalytic Decarboxylative Cross-Ketonisation of Aryl- and Alkylcarboxylic Acids using Magnetite Nanoparticles

In the presence of catalytic amounts of magnetite nanopowder, mixtures of aromatic and aliphatic carboxylic acids are converted selectively into the corresponding aryl alkyl ketones. As by-products, only carbon dioxide and water are released. This catalytic cross-ketonisation allows the regioselective acylation of aromatic systems and, thus, represents a sustainable alternative to Friedel-Crafts acylations.