Hf[N(SO2C8F17)2]4-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts acylation in a fluorous biphase system

In a fluorous biphase system, HfN(SO₂C₈F₁₇)₂]₄ complex (1 mol %) catalyzes Friedel-Crafts acylation of aromatic compounds such as anisole, toluene and chlorobenzene, and the corresponding aromatic ketones are obtained in satisfactory to high yields. The catalyst is selectively soluble in lower fluorous phase and can be easily recovered by simple phase separation. Furthermore, the catalyst can be reused without decrease of activity in most cases.