Acylation Reactions over Zeolites and Mesoporous Catalysts

Friedel-Crafts acylation reactions play an important role in the manufacture of aromatic ketones, which are used as intermediates or products in fine-chemical synthesis: Molecular sieves are highly active and selective catalysts with industrial potential for acylation reactions. Zeolites are the catalysts of choice when shape selectivity influences the preferential formation of some products, while high conversions are achieved over mesoporous catalysts with enhanced diffusion rates of reactants and products. In this Minireview, we focus on the understanding of the relationship among the structure of molecular sieve, type and concentration of acid sites and activity/selectivity in various acylations of aromatic and olefinic hydrocarbons. The products of these acylation reactions are important compounds for the pharmaceutical industry, fragrance and flavor materials, dyes, polymers, agrochemicals, and other applications.