ACYLATION OF ALCOHOLS AND AMINES WITH VINYL ACETATES CATALYZED BY CP-ASTERISK-SM-2(THF)(2)

CpSm-2(thf)(2) was found to be an efficient catalyst for the acylatio n of alcohols and amines with esters under mild conditions. In the pre sent acylation, vinyl and isopropenyl acetates served as good acylatin g agents. Thus, a variety of alcohols and amines underwent acylation w ith vinyl and isopropenyl acetates in the presence of CpSm-2(thf)(2) to give the corresponding esters and amides in good to excellent yield s. This catalytic acylation of alcohols and amines offers an additiona l useful method by the use of various esters, instead of acid anhydrid es and acid chlorides, as acylating agents under very mild conditions.