Sodium 30-tungstopentaphosphate, the so-called Preyssler’s anion with a formula of [NaP5W30O110]14Ð(I) catalyzes the acetylation of alcohols (CnH2n+ 1OH, n = 2, 3, 4, 5) with acetic acid. Highyield is obtained with I as pure acid or supported on silica. Both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts arediscussed and compared.H14[NaP5W30O110], abbreviated as H14-P5, under homogeneous conditions, as well assupported on silica (heterogeneous conditions) is found to be an excellent catalyst. Our data indicate that, when the ammonium salt of I is employed as the catalyst, the yield increases as the alcohol carbon-chain is increased. This behavior is found to be quite general. The catalysts can be easily recovered and recycled with retention of their initial structure and activity.
