Metal acetate/metal oxide in acetic acid: an efficient reagent for the chemoselective N-acetylation of amines under green conditions

The use of catalytic amount of metal acetate or metal oxide in acetic acid is a new and highly efficient acetylating system for chemoselective N-acetylation of primary and secondary amines in excellent yields under reflux condition. No other solvent is required. The noted features of this method include mild reaction conditions, use of innocuous reagents, excellent yields, convenient work-up, and reuse of catalyst.