By the Friedel-Crafts acylation reaction with aromatic compounds 1a～1h and ethyl oxalyl chloride as the starting materials, eight ethyl arylglyoxylates 2a～2h have been synthesized, and their structures were confirmed by IR, 1H NMR spectra and elemental analyses. The regioselectivity of the reaction was studied by high performance liquid chromatography. This synthetic method provides several advantages such as mild reacting-conditions, simple workup procedures and high yields.

Key words: acylation reaction, synthesis, ethyl arylglyoxylate