Catalysis Letters, Vol.123, No.1-2, 24-31, 2008
Double metal cyanides as efficient solid acid catalysts for synthesis of beta-amino alcohols under solvent-free conditions
A novel application of Fe-Zn double metal cyanide complexes as solid, acid catalysts for regioselective synthesis of beta-amino alcohols under solvent-free conditions via ring-opening of epoxides with amines is reported for the first time. The conversion of epoxides to beta-amino alcohols is nearly 100%. In the reaction with styrene oxide, regioselective beta-amino alcohol formation is higher with aromatic than with aliphatic amines. Strong Lewis acidic Zn2+ ions in the catalyst are probably the active sites in this reaction.
Keywords:double metal cyanide (DMC);solid Lewis-acid catalyst;beta-amino alcohols;regioselective ring-opening of epoxides;single crystal X-ray structure