| abstract |
Boron, aluminum and gallium C1?-C18? perfluoroalkanesulfonates (CF3?(CF2?)n?SO3?)3?M (M = B, Al, Ga; n = 0-17) as well as perfluororesin sulfonates such as Nafionates are new, highly effective Friedel-Crafts catalysts. In contrast to volatile aluminum and boron trihalides, the Group III-B perfluoroalkanesulfonates are generally of low or no volatility and, except for boron triflate and some of its homologs, only sparingly soluble incommon organic solvents. This allows their use as solid or supported Friedel-Crafts catalysts of wide utility and scope in continuous heterogenous catalytic processes. At the same time, boron triflate and related lower perfluoroalkanesulfonates are particularly efficient soluble catalysts in solution reactions. |