In chemistry, acylation is the process of adding an acyl group to a compound. The compound providing the acyl group is called the acylating agent. Because they form a strong electrophile when treated with some metal catalysts, acyl halides are commonly used as acylating agents.
What does an acetylating agent do?
A reagent, such as acetic anhydride, capable of bonding an acetyl group onto an organic molecule.
What are the example of acetylating agent?
Isocyanates are themselves acylating agents, of a type that also includes isothiocyanates (RN=C=S), ketenes (R2C=C=O), and carbon dioxide (O=C=O). They react more or less readily with primary and most secondary amines to form, respectively, ureas, thioureas (RNHCSNHR), amides, and salts of carbamic acid (RNHCO2−RNH3+).