Acetic acid assisted cobalt methanesulfonate catalysed chemoselective diacetylation of aldehydes

Cobalt methanesulfonate in combination with acetic acid catalysed the chemoselective diacetylation of aldehyde with acetic anhydride at room temperature under solvent free conditions. After reaction, cobalt methanesulfonate can be easily recovered and reused many times. The reaction was mild and efficient with good to high yields.