Densities and enthalpies of solution at 25 degrees C were measured for dilute solutions of magnesium perchlorate (MP) in some alcohols using the Anton Paar DSA 5000M vibrating tube densimeter and differential calorimetric measurements. In all studied solvents the solution of MP was highly exothermic and large solvent volume contraction was observed. Maximum effect was obtained in methanol and ethanol solutions. Acceleration effect of the Diels-Alder reaction of 9,10-dimethylanthracene with acrylonitrile (in medium of acrylonitrile) in the presence of salts LiClO(4), Mg(ClO(4))(2) and GaCl(3) was as 18:160:59,000. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.