Acylation reagents offer the same advantage available from silylation reagents: creating less polar, more volatile derivatives. In comparison to silylating reagents, the acylating reagents can more readily target highly polar multifunctional compounds, such as carbohydrates and amino acids. In addition, acylating reagents offer the distinct advantage of introducing electron-capturing groups, thus enhancing detectability during analysis.

• Most commonly used for electron capture detection
• React with alcohols, amines, and phenols
• Frequently used for drugs of abuse confirmation