The catalytic Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction of aromatic compounds with benzyl or allyl silyl ethers using Cl2Si(OTf)2 or Hf(OTf)4

The Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction of various aromatic compounds with benzyl or allyl silyl ethers is effectively promoted under mild reaction conditions using Lewis acid catalysts. A mixture of the desired phenyltolylmethanes is obtained in 80% yield from toluene with benzyl dimethylsilyl or trimethylsilyl ether at 50degreesC in the presence of a catalytic amount of Cl2Si(OTf)(2) or Hf(OTf)(2). (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.