A facile and efficient procedure for synthesis of 1,1??diacetates from aldehydes with acetic anhydride was described using zirconium sulfate tetrahydrate–silica gel as catalyst in excellent yields under mild reaction conditions. ... A facile and efficient procedure for synthesis of 1,1??diacetates from aldehydes with acetic anhydride was described using zirconium sulfate tetrahydrate–silica gel as catalyst in excellent yields under mild reaction conditions.