Acetylation of phenol derivatives by different methods: Relation to coal acetylation

From consideration of the results of acetylation of coals by different methods, it was desirable to investigate the acetylation of phenolic compounds by different methods. Attempts were made to apply the procedure of van Krevelen and co-workers to sixteen model compounds (substituted phenols) and to compare the results with those obtained by using ketene and other acetylating reagents. Results for hindered model compounds, e.g. 2,4,6-tri-t-butylphenol, show that of the various methods used, only two produced complete acetylation. Therefore it is concluded that acetylation of hindered phenols may under some conditions be incomplete. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.