Abstract: This invention provides a process for preparing aminoarylacetylenes comprising reacting a N-arylmethylidene aminoarylhalide with a terminal acetylene in the presence of a base and a catalyst system comprising a palladium catalyst and a cuprous salt to produce a novel N-arylmethylidene aminoarylacetylene, and hydrolyzing the N-arylmethylidene aminoarylacetylene to the aminoarylacetylene. In one embodiment, the invention provides a process for preparing aminophenylacetylenes comprising reacting a N-benzylidene aminophenylhalide with a terminal acetylene in the presence of a base and the catalyst system to produce a novel N-benzylidene aminophenylacetylene, and hydrolyzing the N-benzylidene aminophenylacetylene to the aminophenylacetylene.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for preparing acylaromatics comprising reacting an aromatic compound with a carboxylic acid in the presence of a reaction medium comprising polyphosphoric acid and a strong protic acid. In one embodiment, the invention provides a process for preparing a para-acyl phenoxyethylamine comprising the steps of reacting a 2-phenoxyethyl compound bearing a leaving group on the ethyl 1-position with a carboxylic acid in the presence of a reaction medium comprising polyphosphoric acid and a strong protic acid, to form apara-acyl phenoxyethyl intermediate bearing the leaving group; and reacting the para-acyl phenoxyethyl intermediate with an amine that substitutes for the leaving group to form the para-acyl phenoxyethylamine.