Iridium-promoted conversion of terminal epoxides to primary alcohols under acidic conditions using hydrogen

A strategy for the conversion of terminal epoxides to primary alcohols is presented. The reaction uses hydrogen as the only stoichiometric reagent and is promoted by an iridium precatalyst under acidic conditions. Selectivity for the formation of a terminal alcohol over an internal alcohol is observed for both alkyl- and aryl-substituted terminal epoxides in isolated yields of up to 50% and 72% respectively.