Evaluation of the utility of lanthanide salts as catalysts for the per-O-acetylation of monosaccharides

The simple, commonly occurring salts across the lanthanide period were examined as O-acetylation catalysts for monosaccharides. It was found that regardless of the temperature or gegenion, these compounds in combination with Ac2O were highly efficient and effective in a per-O-acetylation catalysis transformation.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Simple, readily available Lanthanide salts were excellent O-acetylation catalysts. ► Monosaccharides were per-O-acetylated in excellent yield. ► Catalytic efficiency was observed even at 0.001 mol% loading.