On the mechanism of alcoholysis of allylic and benzylic alcohols and of epoxides in the presence of ceric ammonium nitrate

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4020(96)00076-2

The methanolysis of allylic alcohols, benzylic tertiary alcohols and epoxides in the presence of a catalytic amount of ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) is shown to be catalysed by protons generated from the oxidation of methanol. This reaction is also catalysed by Lewis acids.