ZEOLITE-CATALYZED ACYLATION OF HETEROCYCLIC-COMPOUNDS - ACYLATION OF BENZOFURAN AND 2-METHYLBENZOFURAN IN A FIXED-BED REACTOR

The acylation of benzofuran and of 2-methylbenzofuran by acetic anhydr ide was carried out over a Y zeolite (Si/Al atomic ratio = 16) in a dy namic flow reactor at 60 degrees C, under atmospheric pressure. Deacti vation was significant for benzofuran, but much less so for 2-methylbe nzofuran with which high yields (about 100% conversion with 95% select ivity in 3-acetyl-2-methylbenzofuran) could be obtained. 2-Methylbenzo furan was about twice as reactive as benzofuran, the position 3 in 2-m ethylbenzofuran being at least two orders of magnitude more reactive t han the position 3 in benzofuran. The difference in the aging process is attributed to a difference in the nature and the location of the ir reversibly adsorbed material. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.