Iodine and iodine supported on polyvinylpyrrolidone as catalysts and reagents for alcoholysis, hydrolysis, and acetolysis of epoxides and thiiranes

摘要

Iodine and iodine supported on polyvinylpyrrolidone (betadine) have been used as catalysts for ring opening of epoxides and as reagent for ring-opening dimerization of thiiranes in alcohols, water, and acetic acid. The reactions occur with high regio-, chemo-, and stereoselectivity. The reaction of R-(+)-styrene oxide with I-2 supported on PVP in methanol was found to be very stereospecific and the product was isolated in 93% ee.