Kinetic Study of Resin‐Catalysed Friedel–Crafts Acylation of Anisole and Propionic Anhydride

ABSTRACT In this work, the synthesis of 4‐methoxypropiophenone (MPP), a para‐selective aromatic ketone, via Friedel–Crafts acylation of anisole with propionic anhydride over a heterogeneous Amberlyst‐15 catalyst was studied. The catalytic performance was examined by varying key reaction parameters, including feed molar ratio, reaction temperature and catalyst loading, to identify the optimal operating conditions for maximum conversion. The negligible effect of external and internal mass transfer resistances was confirmed using the Mears' and Weisz–Prater criteria. A comprehensive kinetic study was performed using various kinetic models, namely, the pseudo‐homogeneous (PH) model, the Eley–Rideal (ER) model and the Langmuir–Hinshelwood–Hougen–Watson (LHHW) model. Among the models examined, the LHHW model, assuming single‐site adsorption of both the reactants and products on the catalyst, provides the best fit to the experimental data for MPP synthesis. The experimentally validated kinetic model offers mechanistic insight into developing a framework for reactor design in MPP synthesis.