Reactions on a Solid Surface. A Simple, Economical, and Efficient Acylation of Alcohols and Amines over Al2O3

Al(2)O(3) brings about a rapid acylation of a range of alcohols and amines with acid chlorides and acid anhydrides, respectively. Amines are easily Boc- and Cbz-protected on reaction with Boc-anhydride and Cbz-Cl, respectively. The acylation of phenols is slow enough to allow chemoselective acylation of alcohols and amines in the presence of phenols.