Potassium carbonate: a highly efficient catalyst for the acylation of alcohols, phenols and thiols under mild conditions

A general, mild and efficient protocol has been developed for the synthesis of esters and thioesters. The process has been taking place using tetra n-butylammonium iodide (TBAI) as a phase-transfer catalyst and in the presence of potassium carbonate (K2CO3). A wide range of esters and thioesters was prepared in high yields and suitable times by the treatment of alcohols, phenols and thiols with acetic anhydride. Acylation reactions of a number of alcohols, phenols and thiols with acetic anhydride demonstrated that Potassium carbonate is a convenient and efficient catalyst for the synthesis of esters and thioesters. This is a mild, general and practical procedure for the synthesis of esters and thioesters in high yields and suitable times.