Intramolecular Friedel–Crafts Acylation Reaction Promoted by 1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoro-2-propanol

Simple dissolution of an arylalkyl acid chloride in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol promotes an intramolecular Friedel–Crafts acylation without additional catalysts or reagents. This reaction is operationally trivial in both execution and product isolation (only requiring concentration followed by purification) and accommodates a broad range of substrates. Preliminary studies that bear upon potential reaction mechanisms are reported.