Azide epoxide hydrogenolysis

Reaction of the benzodioxocine 170 with the epoxidation reagent resulted in the epoxide 171, which was then opened with sodium azide in situ to provide trans-racemic azide 172 (Scheme 18) <2004MI265>. Reduction of the azide 172 by hydrogenolysis using Pd on carbon gave trans-racemic amine 173 in 70% yield over three steps. On acylation of the amine with acetic anhydride, the trans-racemic alcohol 174 was formed, which was then oxidized with Dess-Martin periodinane into the unstable dioxocinone 175. 

Functional groups that are stable to reduction during azide hydrogenolysis include benzyl ester, alkyl chloride, benzyl ether, epoxide, alkoxy imine, hydrazone, nitrile, aldehyde, and ketone (Scheme 33)P9H43]... 

They served for the preparation of halohydrins (after reductive cleavage from the auxiliary) and epoxides but were also used as intermediates en route to a-amino acids via azide substitution of the halide, saponification, and hydrogenolysis of the azide. 

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