CATALYSTS IN THE PREPARATION OF O-BENZOYLBENZOIC ACID AND ETHYLBENZENES BY THE FRIEDEL AND CRAFTS REACTION

Abstract

In the preparation of o-benzoylbenzoic acid from benzene and phthalic anhydride, ferric chloride is a much poorer catalyst than aluminum chloride, but an equimolecular mixture of ferric and aluminum chlorides, although less active than aluminum chloride itself, possesses an activity greater than the sum of the activities of its components separately. Ferric chloride is not a catalyst for the combination of benzene and ethylene. Amalgamated aluminum is a better catalyst than aluminum chloride for both of the reactions mentioned.