P2O5 / SiO2 is a highly efficient reagent for the acetylations of a variety of alcohols, phenols and amines with acetic anhydride under solvent-free conditions. Primary, secondary, allylic and benzylic alcohols, diols and phenols with electron-donating or withdrawing substituents can be easily acetylated in good to excellent yield. The major advantages of this method are: operational simplicity, the ready availability, selectivity, and general applicability, mild reaction conditions with 1-1.5 molar ratio of the reactants, short reaction times and high yields.

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