Microwave mediated solvent-free acetylation of deactivated and hindered phenols

Deactivated and sterically hindered phenols have been acetylated with acetic anhydride under microwave irradiation and using iodine as catalyst in an eco-friendly process. The reaction was carried out under solvent-free conditions and the acetates were obtained in nearly quantitative yields with dramatic reduction of reaction time compared to standard oil-bath heating.