Comparison of different Lewis acid supported on hydroxyapatite as new catalysts of Friedel-Crafts alkylation

ZnCl2, NiCl2 and CuCl2 supported on hydroxyapatite (HAP), as a new solid support, catalyse the Friedel-Crafts alkylation of benzene, toluene and p-xylene by benzyl chloride. The reaction proceeds selectively to monoalkyl-compounds and in a short reaction time. The best catalytic activities were observed with the zinc catalysts. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.