Reactions on a solid surface. A simple, economical, and efficient acylation of alcohols and amines over Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB>

Al<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> brings about a rapid acylation of a range of alcohols and amines with acid chlorides and acid anhydrides, respectively. Amines are easily Boc- and Cbz-protected on reaction with Boc-anhydride and Cbz-Cl, respectively. The acylation of phenols is slow enough to allow chemoselective acylation of alcohols and amines in the presence of phenols