Acylation of phenol by cyclic and acyclic anhydrides in anhydrous acetic acid

Acylation of phenol with succinic, glutaric, trans-1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic, maleic, phthalic, and cis-1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic anhydrides in anhydrous acetic acid generally resulted in phenyl acetate as the major product. The formation of phenyl acetate as the major reaction product could be rationalized as being due to the reactivity of the cyclic anhydrides with acetic acid to form acetic anhydride as well as the greater reactivity of phenol with formed acetic anhydride than with the cyclic anhydride.