Mechanism of Friedel-Crafts acylation with succinic anhydride Here is my proposed mechanism, something tells me that the intramolecular deprotonation happens after, and that this is not concerted. Is my mechanism correct?
The reactivity of acid chlorides and acid anhydrides are actually quite similar. It may be helpful for you to think of an acid anhydride like this:

When we do, the acylation reaction is almost identical to that of an acid chloride, where an acylium cation $\ce{R-C#O+}$ is generated:

The subsequent proton exchange restores aromaticity: