Microwave-enhanced bismuth triflate-catalyzed epoxide opening with aliphatic amines

In the presence of a catalytic amount of Bi(OTf)(3)-4H(2)O and under microwave irradiation, neat mixtures of epoxides and amines afforded smoothly the corresponding 2-amino alcohols. A wide variety of aliphatic amines were reacted with cycloalkene oxide, styrene oxide, and stilbene oxide. The reaction proceeded rapidly and afforded the 2-amino alcohols in high up to quantitative yields. All products could be obtained without aqueous work-up by simple filtration. (c) 2007 Published by Elsevier Ltd.