The Preyssler, Wells-Dowson and Keggin heteropolyacids are efficient and eco-friendly solid acid catalysts for the acylation of electron-rich aromatic compounds with acid anhydrides. The performance of different forms of heteropolyacids was compared. In all the cases, the best results were obtained using the Preyssler heteropolyacid as the catalyst. In the presence of 25 mol% (with respect to H+ equivalency) Preyssler catalyst, highly