© Universiti Teknologi Malaysia FRIEDEL-CRAFTS ACYLATION OF ANISOLE CATALYSED BY H-ZEOLITE BETA OF CRYSTALLINE

Abstract. The reactivity of H-Beta zeolite, synthesised directly from crystalline rice husk ash in various SiO2/Al2O3 gel ratios, was studied in the Friedel-Crafts acylation of anisole with propionic anhydride. Reactions were carried out in a batch reactor at various times and reaction temperatures in order to obtain the optimum acylation condition. Products identified by gas chromatography showed that p-methoxypropiophenone is the main product with propionic acid as the main side product. H-Beta catalyst from the SiO2/Al2O3 = 27 gel ratio gave the highest activity, with anisole conversion of 88.9 % and product selectivity toward p-methoxypropiophenone of 75.3%. The optimum acylation condition was taken at 100°C reaction temperature in 4 hour reaction. Study showed that acylation reaction follows the electrophilic aromatic substitution mechanism catalysed by Brønsted acid sites of H-Beta zeolite