Manganese(III) bis(2-hydroxyanil)acetylacetonato complex as effective catalyst for acylation of alcohols, amines and phenols with acetic anhydride

Acylation of alcohols, amines and phenols with acetic anhydride in an efficient manner using [bis(2-hydroxyanil)acetylacetonato]manganese(III)chloride, [Mn(haacac)Cl], as a catalyst. Using this method acylation of a primary NH2 group in the presence of secondary NH and primary OH have been achieved with high selectivity.