🥼organic chemistry review

Acylated

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

Acylation is the process in which an acyl group is introduced to a molecule, often seen in the context of attaching to an aromatic ring via electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions. In organic chemistry, this typically involves the use of an acyl chloride and an aluminum chloride catalyst in what is known as the Friedel–Crafts acylation reaction.