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.