Chemoselective N-acetylation of primary aliphatic amines promoted by pivalic or acetic acid using ethyl acetate as an acetyl donor

The combination of pivalic or acetic acid as a promoter and EtOAc as a solvent and acetyl donor proved to be efficient for the chemoselective N-acetylation of primary aliphatic amines to afford the corresponding acetamides. We developed a simple and convenient approach, which requires mild reaction conditions. Competitive inter- and intramolecular reactions between aliphatic amines, alcohols, and aromatic amines were examined, and chemoselectivity was achieved by adjusting the conditions of the reaction.