ACID-CATALYZED COMPLEXATION OF ARENES WITH CR(CO)6

Several acids were tested as potential catalysts for complexation of arenes with Cr(CO)6 in boiling decalin. Acetic acid was found to be an efficient catalyst for complexation of acyl- and acyloxybenzenes. A mixture of butanone or cyclohexanone and acetic acid, with THF and acetic acid was found to be an efficient catalytic system or complexation of other arenes. The complex (eta-2-acenaphthylene)4Cr(CO)2 was isolated during an attempt on acetic acid catalysed complexation of acenaphthylene with Cr(CO)6.