An effective method for the selective synthesis of geminal diacetates (acylals) from aromatic aldehydes using alumina-supported InCl3

Aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes can be converted to acylals in mild conditions by a treatment with acetic anhydride in the presence of InCl3/Al2O3 (indium chloride loading = 1.2 mmol g−1). For all reactions, InCl3/Al2O3 is the best catalyst with reusable and highly activity.