Convenient Per-O-Acetylation of Monosaccharides with Vinyl Acetate/ Na3PO4-H2O

Several monosaccharides were peracetylated in excellent isolated yields (89-100%) with vinyl acetate in aqueous Na3PO4. The per-O-acetylation reaction is fast and mild, as well as insensitive to water. Meanwhile, the workup is convenient and the catalyst can be recycled easily. Keywords: Acetylation, monosaccharide, vinyl acetate, catalyst, sodium phosphate