CH3COCl + HO-CH2-CH3 → CH3-COO-CH2-CH3 + H-Cl
Frequently such acylations are carried out in the presence of a base such as pyridine, triethylamine, or DMAP, which as catalysts help to promote the reaction and as bases neutralize the resulting HCl. Such reactions will often proceed via ketene.
Acetylation is the introduction of an acetyl group via acylation using a reactant such as acetyl chloride or acetic anhydride. An acetyl group is an acyl group having the formula
-C(=O)-CH3
For further information on the types of chemical reactions compounds such as acetyl chloride can undergo, see acyl halide.
