Study on the reaction of amines with internal epoxides

The reactivity of internal epoxides, as in epoxidized fatty acids, with primary amines was investigated using primary amines and a model epoxide compound, which was a mixture involving cis- and trans-isomers of 9,10-epoxyoctadecane. The reactions were carried out at 100, 170, and 200 degrees C for 24 h. It was observed that the reaction of an amine with an internal epoxide does not proceed to any significant extent even at 200 degrees C in the absence of catalysts.