Sulfated zirconia (SZ) exhibits a high catalytic performance in the benzoylation of 1-methoxynaphthalene. Therefore, it was used as heterogeneous catalyst in the acylation of methoxynaphthalenes, methylnaphthalenes, naphthalene, and anthracene with benzoic anhydride, benzoyl chloride, and acetic anhydride to synthesize aromatic ketones. The rate of product formation on SZ was dependent on the respective aromatic, on the solvent used, and on the ratio of aromatic to acylating agent. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.