Phosphomolybdic Acid: Mild and Efficient Catalyst for Acetylation of Alcohols, Phenols, and Amines under Solvent-Free Conditions

Abstract

Phosphomolybdic acid (PMA) has been found to be a simple and efficient catalyst for the acetylation of alcohols, phenols, and amines. Acetylation reactions with acetic anhydride (1.0 equiv) proceed in excellent yield in the presence of a catalytic amount (0.2 mol%) of PMA at ambient temperature within a relatively short reaction time (<10 min). Structurally diverse alcohols, phenols, and amines undergo acetylation under solvent-free conditions.