Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Iron(III) p-toluenesulfonate (tosylate) is an efficient catalyst for acetylation of alcohols, phenols, and aldehydes. The acetylation of 1° and 2° alcohols, diols, and phenols proceeded smoothly with 2.0 mol % of catalyst. However, the reaction worked well with only a few 3° alcohols. The methodology was also applicable to the synthesis of a few benzoate esters but required the use of 5.0 mol % catalyst. Aldehydes could also be converted into the corresponding 1,1-diesters (acylals) under the reaction conditions. Iron(III) tosylate is an inexpensive, and easy to handle, commercially available catalyst.

Aromatic aldehydes are smoothly converted into the corresponding acylals in good yields in the presence of 0.10 mol% Bi(OTf)3•xH2O. Ketones are not affected under the reaction conditions. The highly catalytic nature of bismuth triflate and the fact that it is relatively non-toxic, easy to handle and insensitive to small amounts of air and moisture makes this procedure especially attractive for large-scale synthesis.