Zirconocene Bis(perfluorooctanesulfonate)s-Catalyzed Highly Efficient Synthesis of 1,3,5-Triaryl Benzene via Cyclotrimerization of Ketones

Abstract

Air-stable zirconocene bis(perfluoroctanesulfonate)s [Cp2Zr]OSO2C8F17)2] (1) with high Lewis acidity and high thermal stability was prepared by the reaction between Cp2ZrCl2 and AgOSO2C8F17. The as-prepared complex 1 exhibits good activity and selectivity in the cyclotrimerization of various ketones to the desired 1,3,5-triaylbenzenes. Furthermore, in the cyclic experiments, the complex 1 shows little loss of activity after 10 cycles. The results afford a general and efficient method for the cyclotrimerization of ketones using Cp2Zr(OSO2C8F17)2 as catalyst.