Alkenoic acids derived from salicylic acid and analogues undergo an unexpected oxidative cyclization process triggered by AgOAc leading to 4H-benzo[d][1,3]dioxin-4-ones. The process is affected by the substitution on the aryl and the allyl units.

Alkynoic acids derived from salicylic acid and analogues undergo arylative cyclization with arenediazonium salts promoted by gold in the absence of external ligands. The reaction is thermally induced and proceeds even in the absence of light. A difference in regioselectivity has been found compared with that observed in the cycloisomerization process of the same type of compounds.

Silver acetate promotes the acetoxylation of alkyl halides under neutral reaction conditions. The reaction is applicable to primary and activated secondary alkyl halides, and 2,2-dibromoacetophenones for preparing the corresponding acetates in good yields. The presence of ester, amide, nitrile, hydroxy, and OTBDMS functions on the substrate is tolerated.

This neutral acetoxylation reaction tolerates a wide range of functional groups and gives the corresponding products in good yields.