AbstractTropolones are of known biological importance,1‐3 both in the plant and animal world. Their synthesis and physico‐chemical properties are therefore of some importance. Tropolone (2‐hydroxy‐2, 4, 6‐cyclo‐heptatriene‐l‐one), by virtue of its inherent aromatic characteristics, would be expected to undergo electrophilic substitution in a facile manner. This is found not to be the case. Substituted tropolones must therefore be produced by new reaction pathways, which necessarily involves more easily accessible intermediates. Such intermediates could possibly be the aminomethyl derivatives of tropolone, which are easily prepared by a simple Mannich condensation. Elaboration of these adducts could lead to more complex tropolones.Nuclear substitution of tropolonesFriedel Crafts reactions of tropolonesAn investigation of Friedel Crafts alkylations and acylations was undertaken using a variety of Lewis acids as catalysts.