Niobium Pentachloride Mediated (Hetero)aromatic Aldehyde Friedel–Crafts Hydroxyalkylation with Arenes: An Efficient Strategy to Synthesize Triarylmethanes

Niobium pentachloride is an efficient and useful Lewis acid to conduct Friedel-Crafts hydroxyalkylation between arenes and (hetero)aromatic aldehydes, to generate triarylmethanes. This practical methodology offers several advantages, such as short reaction time, mild experimental conditions, and excellent yields.