Alkylation of deactivated arenes by alkanes in the presence of aprotic organic superacid CBr4·2AlBr3

Deactivated arenes (di- and tri-halobenzenes, acetophenone, benzophenone and methylbenzoate) have been shown to be alkylated by alkanes and cycloalkanes (propane, n-butane, cyclopentane) in the presence of superacid CBr₄·2AlBr₃ in the range –40 to 0 °C; in some cases selective and effective mono- or di-alkylation can be achieved.