Process for producing acetyl-substituted aromatic compound

Abstract From the Canadian patent

This invention provides a continuous process for producing an acetyl-substituted aromatic compound by making an aromatic compound react with acetyl fluoride in the presence of substantially anhydrous hydrogen fluoride as a catalyst, the acetyl fluoride being obtained by the reaction of excess acetic anhydride with a substantially anhydrous hydrogen fluoride. It has been already known to acylate an aromatic compound with an acid fluoride in the presence of boron fluoride or hydrogen fluoride and boron fluoride as a catalyst. However, it has now been found that, in the reaction of an aromatic compound (such as an alkyl-substituted benzene or naphthalene or a, phenol or naphthol) with acetyl …