An extremely simple, convenient, and selective method for acetylating primary alcohols in the presence of secondary alcohols

Abstract

Reaction of primary-secondary diols with acetyl chloride in dichloromethane in the presence of 2,4,6-collidine, N,N-diisopropylethylamine, or 1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidine (PMP) leads to the corresponding primary monoacetates simply, conveniently, and in good yields. In this way, other acyl chlorides, sulfonyl chlorides, and silyl chlorides in place of acetyl chloride also react with primary hydroxyl group selectively