N-Acyl 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-ene (DBN) tetraphenylborate salts as O-acylating agents

Air-stable and crystalline N-acyl DBN tetraphenylborate salts have been shown to be effective O-acylating agents, reacting with both primary and secondary alcohols to give the corresponding esters in good yields. In the case of diols, the N-acyl DBN·BPh4 salts have been shown to acylate regioselectively the primary alcohol functionality in the presence of a secondary alcohol. The DBN hydrotetraphenylborate side product can be readily removed by filtration, providing the ester products without the need for further purification.