Lewis Acidity of Hydrosilanes: Synthesis of ß-Alkoxy Alcohols via the Triphenylsilane-Catalyzed Ring-Opening Reaction of Epoxides

Triphenylsilane (Ph3SiH) works as a Lewis-acidic catalyst for the ring-opening reaction of di- and tri-substituted epoxides with alcohols, yielding ss-alkoxy alcohols under nearly neutral reaction conditions. This operationally simple protocol allows the facile synthesis of ss-alkoxy alcohols in good-to-excellent yield.

Automated summary

Triphenylsilane (Ph3SiH) acts as a Lewis-acidic catalyst for the ring-opening reaction of di- and tri-substituted epoxides with alcohols, leading to the synthesis of ss-alkoxy alcohols under nearly neutral reaction conditions. This straightforward protocol enables the facile synthesis of ss-alkoxy alcohols with high yields.