The objective of this study was to prepare, characterize and test the catalytic properties of iron and gallium salts of Aquivion (R) PFSA (hereinafter Aquivion-H). The samples were characterized by the determination of metal loading in fresh and used materials, ATR-FTIR, and thermogravimetric analysis (TG-DSC). The salts were screened in Friedel-Crafts acylation of some heterocyclic compounds and compared with some homogeneous and heterogeneous Lewis acids as well as with pure Aquivion-H. These new salts revealed efficient catalytic activity and recyclability. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.