Zeolite Catalysts as Solid Solvents in Fine Chemicals Synthesis: 2. Competitive Adsorption of the Reactants and Products in the Friedel–Crafts Acetylations of Anisole and Toluene

The liquid-phase acetylations of anisole by acetic anhydride and isopropenyl acetate and that of toluene by acetic anhydride, using zeolites HBEA, HMFI, and HFAU as catalysts, were carried out under batch conditions using various molar ratios of the reactants without added solvent. Evidence has been obtained for competitive adsorption effects of the reactants resulting from differences in their adsorption equilibrium constants (AEC). Estimated values of the AEC show that preferential adsorption is in the order toluene