Heteroaromatic compounds, such as thiophenes, pyrroles and furans, were acylated using zeolite Beta, with and without modifications, and acetic anhydride. Amenable conditions were found to carry out these acylations in high yield, sometimes in a very short time (10 min). Indium modified catalyst have provided a way of attaining good yields in the acylation of pyrrole. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.