Iodine and iodine supported on polyvinylpyrrolidone as catalysts and reagents for alcoholysis, hydrolysis, and acetolysis of epoxides and thiiranes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1139/v97-626

Iodine and iodine supported on polyvinylpyrrolidone (betadine) have been used as catalysts for ring opening of epoxides and as reagent for ring-opening dimerization of thiiranes in alcohols, water, and acetic acid. The reactions occur with high regio-, chemo-, and stereoselectivity. The reaction of R-(+)-styrene oxide with I₂ supported on PVP in methanol was found to be very stereospecific and the product was isolated in 93% ee.