Friedel-Crafts reaction

noun

Frie·​del-Crafts reaction

frē¦d|elˈkraf(t)s-,

¦freˌd|

: a synthetic reaction in organic chemistry in which anhydrous aluminum chloride acts as the typical catalyst: such as

a

: the synthesis of a hydrocarbon (as ethylbenzene) by alkylation of an aromatic hydrocarbon with an alkyl halide

b

: the synthesis of a ketone (as benzophenone) by acylation of an aromatic hydrocarbon with an acyl chloride or acid anhydride

Word History

Etymology

after Charles Friedel †1899 French chemist & James M. Crafts †1917 American chemist

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