Abstract: A method for preparing bismuth tris-trifluoromethanesulphonate, characterized in that it consists in reacting CF3SO3H trifluoromethanesulphonic acid with Bi2O3 bismuth trioxide in a medium consisting of a water/alcohol mixture, and in recuperating the resulting bismuth tris-trifluoromethanesulphonate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bismuth-type promoter and its use as a Lewis acid catalyst for acylation reactions of aromatic compounds. The promoter corresponds to the formula MY&mgr;−q&xgr;q, where M represents a &mgr;-valent and at least trivalent element in the cationic form, preferably known to give Lewis acids, where Y is a monovalent anion or a monovalent anionic functional group, where &xgr;− represents an anion or an anionic functional group carrying a sulfonyl functional group carried by a perhalogenated atom, preferably a perfluorinated atom, more preferably a perfluoromethylene (—CF2—); and where q is an integer advantageously chosen within the closed range (comprising the limits) ranging from 1 to (&mgr;−1) (that is to say, 1 or 2 when &mgr; is 3). The present application also relates to processes for the preparation of the promoter.

Abstract: A subject-matter of the present invention is a process for the sulfonation of an activated or deactivated aromatic compound. The invention applies to the preparation of aromatic sulfones. The process for the sulfonation of an aromatic compound according to the invention comprises the reaction of said aromatic compound with a sulfonating agent, in particular an aryl or alkyl sulfonating agent, in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a mixture of a bismuth trihalide and of perfluoroalkanesulfonic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the acylation or sulphonylation of an aromatic compound. More particularly, the invention relates to a process for the acylation or sulphonylation of an activated or deactivated aromatic compound. The invention is applied to the preparation of aromatic ketones or sulphones. The process for the acylation or sulphonylation of an aromatic compound which consists in reacting at least one aromatic compound with an acylating or sulphonylating agent, in the presence of a Friedel-Crafts catalyst is characterized in that the acylation or sulphonylation reaction is carried out in liquid phase under microwave irradiation.

Abstract: A method for acylating an aromatic compound, specifically an activated or deactivated aromatic compound, is disclosed. The method is suitable for preparing aromatic ketones. The preparation of a catalyst and novel bismuth compounds is also disclosed. Said aromatic compound acylation method comprises reacting said aromatic compound with an acylating agent in the presence of a catalyst, and is characterised in that the acylation reaction is performed in the presence of an effective amount of at least one bismuth salt of trifluoromethanesulphonic acid.

Abstract: Aromatic ethers/phenols are acylated, characteristically into hydroxy- and/or alkoxyaromatic alkylketones, and in particular, are acylated in the para-position relative to an alkoxy substituent borne by the aromatic nucleus, by reacting/condensing same with an acylation agent, for example acetyl chloride or acetic anhydride, in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a bismuth halide, or a precursor compound that generates, in situ, a bismuth halide.