Of course, C-H bond cleavage takes place in Friedel-Crafts reaction. But, This C-H cleavage does not required any activation. FC reaction is electrophilic aromatic substitution. In this case, the C-H cleavage occurs after the substitution takes place on the arene ring. the driving force for this C-H cleavage is aromatization. But, in typical C-H activation, the C-H bond cleavage occurs before or in the concerted path way of arene-metal sigma bond formation.

FC reaction do not show kinetic Isotope effect (KIE ~1). But, the real C-H activation show large KIE (KIE>2).

Dear Nalajala,

C-H activation is one step during the Friedel-Crafts reaction mechanism. Although they are not the same processes, a C-H activation should occur in order to perform a Friedel-Crafts reaction.

We have performed Friedel-Crafts reaction In the following articles to produce porous polymers. Please take a look at the reaction mechanism for further information:

https://ubir.buffalo.edu/xmlui/handle/10477/78502

Article NO oxidation in dry and humid conditions using hyper-cross-l...

Hope you find it useful,

Ramin

Not really, It is more of a C-H functionalization than C-H activation.

Strictly Not

As driving force for such alkylation is not activation of any C-H bond