10.1021/jo00062a006
The study revealed that the acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of trans-anethole oxide is significantly faster than that of its cis isomer, with a difference in reactivity attributed to steric interactions in the transition state. The researchers trapped carbocation intermediates using azide ion and found identical diol and azide product mixtures from both epoxides, suggesting a common discrete carbocation intermediate. The study concluded that the reactions proceed via a common, discrete carbocation intermediate, with the ratios of syn vs anti hydration being determined by the partitioning reactions of this intermediate.