Pentafluorophenylammonium triflate as a mild and new organocatalyst for acylation of alcohols, phenols, and amines under solvent-free condition.

A simple, inexpensive, environmentally friendly and efficient route for the acylation of a number of alcohols, phenols and amines using pentafluorophenylammonium triflate (PFPAT) as a catalyst is described. PFPAT organocatalyst is air-stable, cost-effective, easy to handle, and easily removed from the reaction mixtures.