Bismuth oxide perchlorate as a highly efficient catalyst for heteroatom acylation under solvent-free conditions

Bismuth oxide perchlorate efficiently catalyzes the acetylation of structurally diverse phenols, alcohols, thiols, and amines under solvent free conditions. Sterically hindered and electron deficient phenols are acetylated in excellent yields with stoichiometric amounts of Ac2O at room temperature. Acylation of acid-sensitive alcohols is carried out efficiently without competitive side reactions. Optically active substrates are acetylated without any detrimental effect on the optical purity.