Sulfonic acid functionalized nano γ-Al2O3 catalyzed per-O-acetylated of carbohydrates

A simple and clean synthesis of per-O-acetylation carbohydrate derivatives has been accomplished by treatment of sugars with a stoichiometric quantity of acetic anhydride under solvent-free conditions in the presence of sulfonic acid functionalized nano γ-Al2O3 as an efficient and environmentally benign catalyst.