4. Conclusions
To sum up, though the o/p selectivities are in agreement with those with the
earlier reported catalysts, quantitative conversion rates are achieved by using
iron pillared clays as catalysts in Friedel-Crafts alkylations. Reaction times and
the amounts of catalysts needed for this reaction have been greatly reduced.
Moreover, the procedure has the asset of total simplicity: the aromatic hydrocarbon
to be alkylated serves as its own solvent, the work-up consists merely of a
filtration to remove the catalyst followed by solvent evaporation. Above all, the
reactions are clean with no formation of meta-products. Another advantage of
FePILCs is that they can be used in vapor-phase reactions which is not possible
with montmorillonite which would collapse and loose its structure at temperatures
required for the vapor-phase reactions. Vapor-phase reactions using FePILC
are under progress. Thus, the Fe 3+ content and pillaring effect make FePILC
catalysts more active.