DABCO: an efficient promoter for the acetylation of carbohydrates and other substances under solvent-free conditions

A simple, mild and efficient solvent-free method for the acetylation of carbohydrates, and their partially protected derivatives, as well as non-carbohydrate substances in excellent yields in the presence of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) is described with the advantage of tolerance to various functional groups, short reaction time and ease of product isolation.