[jefferson987]

Im new to acylation / alkylation reactions and I have some questions about the Aluminum chloride catalyst.

1) I've been reading about a hexahydrate compound of AlCl3 which I'm assuming means theres water in the compound. Would I use the hexahydrate when performing acylation / alkylation reactions?

2) It is to be used in stoichiometric quantities?

3) I've read that AlCl3 reacts violently with water and yet in my search to buy some I've come across a few online stores that sell it in a solution, how can that be?

4) Can it be recovered after a reaction?

5) If I prepared some with Cl(g) + Al(s) would storage in a capped glass bottle be sufficient?

6) When performing an acylation / alkylation reaction with a o/p directing group I know I will form both products but how would I get my adding group to add to both the ortho and para positions on the same molecule?

[Borek]

3) I've read that AlCl3 reacts violently with water and yet in my search to buy some I've come across a few online stores that sell it in a solution, how can that be?

This one I can help you with. Anhydrous chloride reacts with water giving off gaseous HCl. If you start with hexahydrate, or if you prepare AlCl₃ directly in solution (for example dissolving Al in acid, although it is not as easy at it may sound) you don't have to deal with anhydrous stuff and preparation of solution is perfectly safe.