Facile, high regio- and chemoselective conversion of epoxides to β-chlorohydrins using chlorodiphenylphosphine under solvent-free conditions

Abstract

A new method is described for the mild and high regioselective conversion of epoxides to β-chlorohydrins in high yields even in the presence of alcohols, carboxylic acids, oximes, amides, thiols and tetrahydropyranyl ethers using chlorodiphenylphosphine (ClPPh₂) under solvent-free and neutral conditions at room temperature and in short reaction times. In addition, some other functional groups such as carbon-carbon double bonds, ester groups and also phenyl ring that are present in the epoxide molecules remain intact in this method.