friedel-crafts reaction

\\frē|d]elˈkraf(t)s-, |freˌd]\ noun

Usage: usually capitalized F&C

Etymology: after Charles Friedel died 1899 French chemist & James M. Crafts died 1917 American chemist

: a synthetic reaction in organic chemistry in which anhydrous aluminum chloride acts as the typical catalyst: as

a. : the synthesis of a hydrocarbon (as ethylbenzene) by alkylation of an aromatic hydrocarbon with an alkyl halide

b. : the synthesis of a ketone (as benzophenone) by acylation of an aromatic hydrocarbon with an acyl chloride or acid anhydride

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/free del"krafts", -krahfts"/

a reaction for the synthesis of hydrocarbons and ketones by the alkylation or acylation of an aromatic compound in the presence of a catalyst, typically anhydrous aluminum chloride.

[1895-1900; after French chemist Charles Friedel (1832-99) and U.S. chemist J. M. Crafts (1832-1917), its discoverers]