I require some trifluoromethylpropiophenone and trifluoromethylvalerophenone as precursors for controlled substance analogs. Unfortunately, my textbook told me that direct acylation of benzotrifluoride wouldn't be possible. If you heat a mixture of benzotrifluoride and propionylchloride with aluminum chloride, the result is benzotrichloride and hydrogen fluoride.
Anybody know a useful catalyst for direct acylation ?