Efficient Ring Opening Reaction of Epoxides with Oxygen Nucleophiles Catalyzed by Quaternary Onium Salt

Ring opening reactions of epoxides with oxygen nucleophiles catalyzed by a variety of quaternary onium salt, such as ammonium or phosphonium salt were explored. The results showed that tetrabutylphosphonium bromide (TBPB) among salts serves as the most efficient catalyst for this process and that expoxide ring opening reactions with a variety of oxygen nucleophiles including carboxyic acid and phenol, promoted using this salt, lead to generate readily purifiable products in excellent yields.