Ring-opening reactions of epoxides catalyzed by molybdenum(VI) dichloride dioxide

Transformation of epoxides to β-alkoxy alcohols, acetonides, and α-alkoxy ketones is achieved by using molybdenum(VI) dichloride dioxide (MoO2Cl2) as a catalyst. Alcohol, aldehyde, oxime, tosyl, and tert-butyldimethylsilyl functional groups are tolerated during the methanolysis and acetonidation of the functionalized epoxides. No polymerization product is observed with any of the epoxides. Direct conversion of epoxides devoid of sensitive functional groups into the corresponding α-methoxy ketone is achieved in a single step by using the MoO2Cl 2/Oxone system. © Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart.