Based on the surprisingly high solubility of AlCl3 in ionic liquids of type [cation][(CF3SO2)2N], a new class of highly acidic, ionic systems has been developed. First tests in toluene carbonylation revealed high potential of these new acidic ionic liquids as catalyst for arene functionaliziation reactions.

Acidic ionic liquids of the type [cation] [bis (trifluoromethanesulfonyl)2 N]/AlCl 3 } have been applied to realise for the first time a continuous Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction in liquid-liquid biphasic reaction mode using a loop reactor concept. Exemplified for the continuous propylation of toluene we have proved that the acidic catalyst layer is successfully immobilised over at least 18 h in the loop reactor. After 8 h time-on-stream, a steady state has been reached followed by at least 10 h time-onstream without any loss of activity or change in selectivity. Our results reveal the high potential of this class of acidic ionic liquids in continuous arene functionalisation reactions.

Aldehydes Q 0320New, Highly Acidic Ionic Liquid Systems and Their Application in the Carbonylation of Toluene. -Based on the unexpectedly high solubility of AlCl3 in ionic liquids having the bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide anion, a new class of highly acidic ionic systems is developed. The potential of this reaction medium is demonstrated for the carbonylation of toluene (I). -(BRAUSCH, N.; METLEN, A.; WASSERSCHEID*, P.; Chem. Commun. (Cambridge) 2004, 13, 1552-1553; Lehrstuhl Chem. Reaktionstech., Friedrich-Alexander Univ., D-91058 Erlangen, Germany; Eng.) -M. Paetzel 44-090

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