Chiral scandium-catalysed enantioselective ring-opening of meso-epoxides with N-heterocycle, alcohol and thiol derivatives in water

In the presence of catalytic amounts of Sc(OSO3C12H25)(3) and a chiral bipyridine ligand, asymmetric ring-opening of meso-epoxides with aromatic N-heterocycles, an alcohol and thiols proceeded smoothly to afford the corresponding products in moderate to good yields (34-85%) with high to excellent enantioselectivities (74-96% ee). Water was used as the sole and essential solvent in these important enantioselective transformations.