Catalytic Friedel-Crafts Reactions of Highly Electronically Deactivated Benzylic Alcohols

Summary The development of efficient Friedel–Crafts alkylations of arenes and heteroarenes using only catalytic amounts of a Lewis acid has gained much attention over the last decade. The new catalytic approaches described in this review are favoured over classical Friedel–Crafts conditions as benzyl-, propargyl- and allyl alcohols, or styrenes, can be used instead of toxic benzyl halides. Additionally, only low catalyst loadings are needed to provide a wide range of products. Following a short introduction about the origin and classical definition of the Friedel–Crafts reaction, the review will describe the different environmentally benign substrates which can be applied today as an approach towards greener processes. Additionally, the first diastereoselective and enantioselective Friedel–Crafts-type alkylations will be highlighted.

Modern organic synthesis now requires efficient atom economical synthetic methods operating under greener pathways to achieve C-C and C-heteroatom bond formation. Direct activation of allylic alcohols in the presence of transition metal catalysts leading to electrophilic π-allyl metal intermediates represents such a promising target in the field of nucleophilic allylation reactions. During the last decade, this topic of recognized importance has become an emerging area, and selected transition metals, sometimes associated with alcohol activators, have brought elegant solutions for performing allylic substitution directly from alcohols in a regio, stereo and enantioselective manner.