Ruthenium(III) acetylacetonate [Ru(acac)3] — An efficient recyclable catalyst for the acetylation of phenols, alcohols, and amines under neat conditions

Abstract

A catalytic amount of ruthenium(III) acetylacetonate (2 mol%) [Ru(acac)3] enables solvent-free acetylation of phenols, alcohols, and amines at ambient temperature in good to excellent yields. Furthermore, the catalyst could be recovered and reused at least three times without a significant loss in yields.Key words: acetylation, protecting groups, ruthenium(III) acetylacetonate, phenols, alcohols, amines.