Unprecedented acetylation of phenols using a catalytic amount of magnesium powder

ABSTRACT

The acetylation of phenols with acetic anhydride was achieved using a catalytic amount of magnesium metal powder under air and solvent-free conditions to afford corresponding phenyl acetates in excellent yield (up to 98%).

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Acetylation
• free radical mechanism
• magnesium
• phenyl acetates

Acknowledgments

We are sincerely grateful to Prof. Dr Hiroaki Sasai, The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research (ISIR), Osaka University, Japan for providing us NMR and DART-MS recording facility.