Erbium(III) Triflate is a Highly Efficient Catalyst for the Synthesis of β-Alkoxy Alcohols, 1,2-Diols and β-Hydroxy Sulfides by Ring Opening of Epoxides
ring-opening reaction of epoxides with erbium(III) triflate are described. Epoxides can be cleaved under neutral conditions with alcohols and thiols in the presence of catalytic amounts of Lewis acid, affording the corresponding β-alkoxy alcohols and β-hydroxy sulfides in high yields. In water, epoxide ring opening occurs to produce the corresponding diols in good yields epoxides - Lewis acids - nucleophilic