Efficient aromatic and heteroatom acylations using catalytic indium complexes with lithium perchlorate

The combination of an indium complex with lithium perchlorate affords a potent system for the catalytic acylation of electron-rich aromatics and alcohols. The use of isopropenyl acetate as acyl donor results in cleaner methodology with acetone as the only by-product. The study has also revealed an indium-catalysed ketalisation reaction. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.