Thermodynamic analysis of phenol acylation with acetic acid

Abstract

Hydroxyacetophenones, especially the para-isomer, are important compounds in the pharmaceutical industry. They can be obtained through acylation of phenol but no data about the thermodynamic properties of this reaction are available. The estimation of the properties of this reaction, using the Benson method, shows that the formation of hydroxyacetophenones is favorable at temperatures between 300 K and 800 K. Higher temperatures favor the formation of phenyl acetate. In this temperature range, meta-hydroxyacetophenone is more stable than the other isomers.