An efficient and practical catalytic system for the anti-Markovnikov ruthenium-catalyzed hydroarylation of styrenes with acetophenone, allowing a straightforward access to bibenzyl backbones, is described for the first time: this process, involving regioselective C-H bond activation, is complementary to a Friedel-Crafts type reaction giving the branched adduct.

The aza-Friedel–Crafts (aza-FC) reaction is a very powerful tool for forming C–C and C–N bonds, based on an acid-catalyzed addition of electron-rich aromatic compounds to imines.

Polyfunctionalized carbazole derivatives have been synthesized by a one-pot reaction between indoles and keto-functionalized nitroolefins. The first step is based on Friedel-Crafts followed acid-promoted microwave-assisted intramolecular cyclization.

3-Carbamoylmethyl-Indole-1-Carboxylic Acid Ethyl Ester (an ethoxycarbonyl derivative of indole-3-acetamide) is obtained by Friedel–Crafts type cyclocondensation γ-functionalized acetoacetamide in neat polyphosphoric acid.