Zinc oxide (ZnO) as a new, highly efficient, and reusable catalyst for acylation of alcohols, phenols and amines under solvent free conditions

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a highly efficient catalyst for the acylation of a variety of alcohols, phenols and amines with acid chlorides or acid anhydrides under solvent free conditions. Primary, secondary, tertiary, allylic and benzylic alcohols, diols and phenols with electron donating or withdrawing substituents can be easily acylated in good to excellent yield.