Indium(III) chloride as a new, highly efficient, and versatile catalyst for acylation of phenols, thiols, alcohols, and amines

Indium(III) chloride efficiently catalyses the acylation of structurally diverse phenols, alcohols, thiols, and amines under solvent free conditions. Acid sensitive alcohols are smoothly acylated without competitive side reactions. Acylation of 2-hydroxynaphthalene is carried out with carboxylic acids adopting the mixed anhydride protocol using trifluoroacetic anhydride.