Direct alkylation of aromatics using alcohols in the presence of NaHSO4/SiO2

Simple and efficient procedure for alkylation of aromatics from alcohols in the presence of NaHSO4/SiO2 was developed. Various triaryl methanes were obtained in good yields in short reaction time. For instance the reaction of mesitylene with benzhydrol in the presence of NaHSO4/SiO2 gave the corresponding triaryl methane in a quantitative yield. NaHSO4/SiO2 was regenerated by simple treatment and could be recycled eight times without activity loss.