A Friedel-Crafts-type reaction of 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene with gamma-butyrolactone was conducted over various solid acid catalysts such as zeolites, polymer resins, and heteropolyacids. The alkylation to 4-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl) butyric acid proceeded exclusively with these catalysts; no acylation to the ketone occurred. The heteropolyacids, such as H3PW12O40 and H4SiW12O40, were superior in activity to the other catalysts; they also accelerated the reaction of the product acid with gamma-butyrolactone to the corresponding carboxylic acid. When the heteropolyacids were supported on silica, alkylation proceeded efficiently with high mass balance, suppressing further reaction. The reusability of the supported heteropolyacids also was confirmed. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.