Abstract
It has been observed that a catalytic amount (0.1 mol%) of cerium(IV) triflate afforded geminal diacetates from aldehydes with acetic anhydride in toluene at ambient temperature. Ketones are not affected under these reaction conditions. The reaction is rapid and mild with good to high yields.
Acknowledgment
Authors are grateful to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, for financial assistance.