Highly selective catalytic Friedel-Crafts acylation and sulfonylation of activated aromatic compounds using indium metal

The Friedel-Crafts acylation of activated benzenes with various aromatic and aliphatic acid chlorides was studied in the presence of indium metal. The reaction was accomplished in high isolated yields under solvent or solvent-less conditions. The method is also applicable for preparing diaryl sulfones from aromatic compounds and aryl sulfonyl chlorides.