Synthesis and structure of an air-stable organobismuth triflate complex and its use as a high-efficiency catalyst for the ring opening of epoxides in aqueous media with aromatic amines

An air-stable organobismuth triflate complex with a novel 5,6,7,12-tetrahydrodibenzo[c,f]-[1,5]oxabismocine framework was synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The organobismuth framework is cationic, and the complex shows relatively strong Lewis acidity (0.8 < H-o <= 3.3). It was found to exhibit high catalytic activity towards the ring-opening reaction of epoxides in aqueous media with aromatic amines at room temperature. This catalyst shows good stability, recyclability and reusability. The catalytic system affords a simple and efficient method for the synthesis of beta-amino alcohols. (C) 2011 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.