Efficient and recyclable rare earth-based catalysts for Friedel-Crafts acylations under microwave heating: dendrimers show the way

The catalytic system involving Sc(OTf)(3) and a dendritic terpyridine ligand is able to promote the Friedel-Crafts acylation of a wide range of aromatics under microwave irradiation. The expected products are obtained in high yields after short reaction times and the nano-sized catalyst can be recovered and successfully used in 12 consecutive runs.