N,N'-Dibromo-N,N'-1,2-ethanediylbis(benzene sulfonamide) as an Efficient Catalyst for Acetylation and Formylation of Alcohols Under Mild Conditions.

An efficient method for the acylation and formylation of alcohols and phenols by using an acylating/formylating agent (acetic anhydride and formic acid) in the presence of a catalytic amount of N,N'-dibromo-N,N'-1,2-ethanediylbis(benzene sulfonamide) under mild and solvent-free conditions at room temperature in good to excellent yields is described. The use of protic acids and metal Lewis acids is avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]