Epoxidation ring opening

The experimental observations combine with the principles of nucleophilic substi tution to give the picture of epoxide ring opening shown m Figure 16 5 The nucleophile attacks the less crowded carbon from the side opposite the carbon-oxygen bond Bond... 

Primary cycloaUphatic amines react with phosgene to form isocyanates. Reaction of isocyanates with primary and secondary amines forms ureas. Dehydration of ureas or dehydrosulfuri2ation of thioureas results in carhodiimides. The nucleophilicity that deterrnines rapid amine reactivity with acid chlorides and isocyanates also promotes epoxide ring opening to form hydroxyalkyl- and dihydroxyalkylaniines. Michael addition to acrylonitrile yields stable cyanoethylcycloalkylarnines. 

Epoxides are regio- and stereoselectively transformed into fluorohydrins by silicon tetrafluoride m the presence of a Lewis base, such as diisopropyleth-ylamme and, m certain instances, water or tetrabutylammonium fluoride The reactions proceed under very mild conditions (0 to 20 C in 1,2-diohloroethane or diethyl ether) and are highly chemoselective alkenes, ethers, long-chain internal oxiranes, and carbon-silicon bonds remain intact The stereochemical outcome of the epoxide ring opening with silicon tetrafluoride depends on an additive used, without addition of water or a quaternary ammonium fluoride, as fluorohydrins are formed, whereas m the presence of these additives, only anti opening leading to trans isomers is observed [17, 18] (Table 2)... 

Section 16.14 Epoxide functions are present in a great many natural products, and epoxide ring opening is sometimes a key step in the biosynthesis of other substances. 

The asymmetric epoxidation of electron-poor cinnamate ester derivatives was highlighted by Jacobsen in the synthesis of the Taxol side-chain. Asymmetric epoxidation of ethyl cinnamate provided the desired epoxide in 96% ee and in 56% yield. Epoxide ring opening with ammonia followed by saponification and protection provided the Taxol side-chain 46 (Scheme 1.4.12). 

Epoxide ring-opening witli transfer of an sp carbon moiety was applied in a sbori syntliesis [44] of eicosanoid 56 [45], relevant in marine prostanoid biosyn-tliesis (Scheme 9.13). Honioallyl alcohol 55 was obtained in good yield from 54 by use of a cyano-G dman alketiylciiprate [46]. 

Ethylene oxide is a highly active intermediate. It reacts with all compounds that have a labile hydrogen such as water, alcohols, organic acids, and amines. The epoxide ring opens, and a new compound with a hydroxyethyl group is produced. The addition of a hydroxyethyl group increases the water solubility of the resulting compound. Eurther reaction of ethylene oxide produces polyethylene oxide derivatives with increased water solubility. 

In the synthesis of the bromo derivative 12 from diepoxide 11, an interesting epoxide ring-opening-ring-closure reaction is involved.5... 

Catalytic Asymmetric Epoxide Ring-opening Chemistry... 

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