P2O5/Al2O3 as an Efficient Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Acetylation of Alcohols, Phenols, Thiols, and Amines Under Solvent-Free Conditions

[image omitted] A convenient, rapid, and efficient method for the acetylation of alcohols, phenols, thiols, and amines has been developed by using acetic anhydride in the presence of a catalytic amount of P2O5/Al2O3 under solvent-free conditions at room temperature. This reaction was studied under different conditions, and several solvents were examined for this conversion. However, in terms of reaction time and yield, it was found that the best result was obtained when the reaction was carried out under solvent-free conditions. Racemization of optically active alcohols and epimerization of sugars were not observed. The use of nontoxic and inexpensive materials, simple and clean workup, short reaction times, and good yields of the products are the advantages of this method.