Acetylation of nucleosides and acetyl migration

Acetylation of the 2′-OH group predominances over acetylation of the 3′-OH group in derivatives of adenosine, uridine, 3β-d-xylosyluracil and 3β-d-lyxosyluracil. In each case subsequent equilibrium of the products of acetylation results in a net acetyl migration away from the glycosidic link.