Iron(II) Phthalocyanine-Catalyzed Benzoylation of Substituted Benzenes

Abstract

Substituted benzophenones were obtained by the reaction of benzoyl chloride with some substituted benzenes in the presence of a iron (II) phthalocyanine catalyst. The benzoylation was performed at 160°C for 5 h, and the catalyst was recovered after the reaction. If necessary, the amount of evolved hydrogen chloride was determined by the usual acid-base titration. Iron (II) phthalocyanine 2/100 mol equivalent to benzoyl chloride was sufficient as a catalyst. The substrates with electron-releasing substituents reacted efficiently, while electron-attracting substituents disfavored the reaction. The benzoylation catalyzed by the iron (II) phthalocyanine catalyst is considered as an electrophilic substitution.