In the course of studies designed to evaluate reactive acylating agents, we observed that the combination of 2 equiv of MgBr2 (anhydrous solution in THF), 3 equiv of a tertiary amine, and 2 equiv of benzoic anhydride benzoylated the secondary alcohol 1-phenylethanol within seconds (CH2Cl2, exotherm!) Secondary alcohol acylations were not pursued, 1 but we were interested to find that even the hindered pivalic anhydride reacts with alcohols ...