Recent advances in the development of environmentally benign solid acid-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts reactions are reviewed. The work includes two main chapters, alkylations and acylations. The data are summarized based on the chemical nature of the reagents used, such as alkenes, alkyl halides and alcohols/ethers in alkylation, while activated carboxylic acid derivatives and carboxylic acids in acylation. Special topics in both major chapters, such as hydroxyalkylation, cyclialkylation, cycliacylation and rearrangements are also discussed.
Keywords: Friedel-Crafts, alkylation, acylation, solid acid, zeolite, montmorillonite, sulfonic acid resin, heteropolyacid