acylointi

Acylointi is the Finnish term for acylation, the chemical process of introducing an acyl group (R-CO-) into a molecule. This modification can yield esters, amides, or other acylated derivatives. Acylointi is typically categorized by the type of nucleophile being acylated: O-acylation of alcohols or phenols, N-acylation of amines to give amides, and less commonly, C-acylation at carbon centers. Activating agents such as acyl chlorides or anhydrides commonly drive the reaction.

In most contexts, a nucleophile attacks the carbonyl carbon of the acylating reagent, and the leaving group departs to form the acylated product. In aromatic chemistry, Friedel–Crafts–type acylation uses a Lewis acid to generate an acylium ion that adds to an aromatic ring. Protecting-group strategies also rely on acylation to temporarily deactivate functional groups during multi-step syntheses.

Common reagents include acid chlorides, acid anhydrides, and activated carboxylic acids. Amide formation often uses coupling reagents or catalytic systems to activate carboxylic acids with amines. In biology, acylation regulates proteins and lipids, such as histone acetylation affecting gene expression and various enzyme or membrane protein acylations that influence activity and localization.

Safety and handling depend on the reagents used; some acylating agents, notably acid chlorides, are corrosive and emit strong odors. Acylointi is widely used in organic synthesis, materials science, and biochemistry to modify solubility, stability, and biological function.