FRIEDEL-CRAFTS ACYLATION OF ANISOLE CATALYSED BY

H-ZEOLITE BETA OF CRYSTALLINE RICE HUSK ASH

ZAINAB RAMLI, DIDIK PRASETYOKO & SALASIAH ENDUD
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. HBeta
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 100C reaction temperature in 4 hour reaction. Study showed that acylation
reaction follows the electrophilic aromatic substitution mechanism catalysed by Brnsted acid sites of
H-Beta zeolite.
Keywords: zeolite beta, rice husk ash