Poly(N-vinylimidazole) as an efficient catalyst for acetylation of alcohols, phenols, thiols and amines under solvent-free conditions

Poly(N-vinylimidazole) is able to promote instantaneous quantitative acetylation of a variety of functionalized alcohols, phenols, thiols and amines with acetic anhydride at room temperature under solvent-free conditions. This new method consistently has excellent yields and the catalyst can be reused and recovered several times. Furthermore, the reaction can even be carried out on a larger scale.