1-Substituted Imidazoles as Useful Catalysts for Acylation of Alcohols

Abstract

Acylation of alcohols with acid anhydrides or acid halides could be considerably accelerated by adding 1-substituted imidazoles as catalysts. The acylation with acid halides required the addition of triethylamine to capture the resulting acid. 1-Isopropyl-5-methylimidazole and 1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-5-methylimidazole showed higher catalytic activities than 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) for acylation of primary and secondary alcohols.