Study of regioselective methanesulfonylation of simple aromatics with methanesulfonic anhydride in the presence of zeolite catalysts

Regioselective methanesulfonylation of simple aromatics using methanesulfonic anhydride can be achieved over zeolite catalysts. For example, methanesulfonylation of toluene over various cation-exchanged zeolite beta catalysts affords higher para-selectivity in the synthesis of methyl tolyl sulfone than standard Friedel-Crafts methanesulfonylation utilising aluminium chloride.