Cleavage of the epoxide ring in trans-epoxy-alcohols by sodium borohydride in methanol
Abstract
The epoxide ring in steroidal trans-αβ, and βγ-epoxy-alcohols is cleaved by sodium borohydride in refluxing methanol to give the corresponding methoxyhydrins, in contrast to the cis-epoxy-alcohols which remain unchanged. The steric requirements of the reaction and a mechanism involving the intermediate formation of a boron complex with the substrate are discussed.