Structurally diverse alcohols were acetylated in a clean and efficient reaction with acetic anhydride based on the use of a catalytic amount of N,N-dichloro-4-methylbenzenesulphonimide in dichloromethane. All reactions were performed at room temperature in good to excellent yields.
N,N-dichloro-4-methylbenzenesulphonimide; alcohol; acetylation; acetic anhydride