THERMODYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF PHENOL ACYLATION WITH ACETIC-ACID

Hydroxyacetophenones, especially the para-isomer, are important compou nds in the pharmaceutical industry. They can be obtained through acyla tion of phenol but no data about the thermodynamic properties of this reaction are available. The estimation of the properties of this react ion, using the Benson method, shows that the formation of hydroxyaceto phenones is favorable at temperatures between 300 K and 800 K. Higher temperatures favor the formation of phenyl acetate. In this temperatur e range, meta-hydroxyacetophenone is more stable than the other isomer s.