An efficient and simple procedure has been developed for the acetylation of aldehyde by selectfluorTM [1-(chloromethyl)-4-fluoro-1,4-diazoniabicyclo[2,2,2]octane bis(tetrafluoroborate)] as a chemoselective and environmentally
friendly catalyst under solvent-free conditions or microwave irradiation. The
application of microwave irradiation improved the yields and reduced the reaction
times. In this study, selective conversion of aldehydes was observed in the presence
of ketones, and the deprotection of 1,1-diacetates has also been achieved using
selectfluorTM in water as green solvent in reflux conditions. The methodology
provides synergy of microwave irradiation which offers several advantages such the
simple work-up procedure, short reaction time, excellent yields and environmentally
benign procedure.
