Selective acylation of a sterically hindered hydroxyl group of unsymmetrical diols containing a primary hydroxyl group such as 1,5-hexanediol in the presence of silica gel with acetyl chloride

The more hindered monoacetates were selectively formed in the presence of silica gel with acetyl chloride by refluxing a suspension of unsymmetrical diols containing a primary hydroxyl group such as 1,5-hexanediol preadsorbed on silica gel. Such regioselectivity was observed through preferential adsorption via a primary hydroxyl group of the diols. Copyright (C) 2003 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.