Electron-deficient [TiIV(salophen)(OTf)2]: A new and highly efficient catalyst for the acetylation of alcohols and phenols with acetic anhydride

In the present work, a highly efficient method for acetylation of alcohols and phenols with acetic anhydride catalyzed by high-valent (Ti-IV(salophen)(OTf)(2)] is reported. Under these conditions, primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols as well as phenols were acetylated with short reaction times and high yields. The catalyst was reused several times without loss of its catalytic activity. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.