A highly efficient protocol for regioselective ring-opening of epoxides with alcohols, water, acetic acid, and acetic anhydride catalyzed by SbF₃

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT

SbF₃ as an efficient catalyst has been used for regioselective alcoholysis, acetolysis and hydrolysis of epoxides to the corresponding β-alkoxy, β-acetoxy alcohols, and 1,2-diols in high to excellent yields. This study also represents a convenient synthesis of vic-diacetates from ring-opening of epoxides with acetic anhydride.

KEYWORDS:

• β-Alkoxy alcohol; β-acetoxy alcohol
• 1,2-diol
• vic-diacetate
• epoxide
• SbF₃

Funding

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of this work by the research council of Urmia University.