An efficient method for regioselective ring opening of epoxides by amines under microwave irradiation using Bi(NO3)3·5H2O as a catalyst

Abstract

Bismuth(III)nitrate pentahydrate, a highly efficient environmentally benign catalyst, is used for the nucleophilic ring opening of epichlorohydrin and styrene oxide with aromatic, aliphatic and heteroaromatic amines under solvent free microwave conditions reducing the reaction time drastically to afford the corresponding β-amino alcohols in good to excellent yields with high regioselectivity. The products obtained were directly purified by column chromatography and characterised by ¹H & ¹³C NMR, FTIR and mass spectroscopy.