Decatungstodivanadogermanic heteropoly acid (H6GeW10V2O40.22H2O): A novel, green and reusable catalyst for efficient acetylation of alcohols and phenols under solvent-free conditions

Decatungstodivanadogermanic acid (H6GeW10V2O40.22H2O) was used as a novel and green heterogeneous catalyst for the acetylation of hydroxy compounds under solvent-free conditions at room temperature. Efficient and selective acetylation of various alcohols and phenols was conducted with acetic anhydride as an acetylating agent over H6GeW10V2O40.22H2O under solvent-free conditions. All acetylated products were selectively obtained in excellent yields with very short reaction times. The reaction times were longer for the acetylation of phenols than for alcohols, so that an alcoholic OH group could be selectively acetylated in the presence of a phenolic OH group by the appropriate choice of reaction time. The catalyst can be recycled several times without observable loss of activity and selectivity.