An atom-efficient and powerful method for direct esterification of silyl ethers catalyzed by HClO₄-SiO₂

An efficient and convenient procedure for direct esterification of alkyl and aryl silyl ethers with Ac₂O and a catalyst system of perchloric acid immobilized on a silica gel (HClO₄-SiO₂) has been developed. The silyl protecting groups are directly replaced by acetyls and the protecting groups themselves are transformed into acetates as the sole byproducts, which can be readily recovered and converted back to silylchlorides, the original protecting agents, thus minimizing wastes.