Iron(III) Trifluoroacetate as an Efficient Catalyst for Solvolytic and Nonsolvolytic Nucleophilic Ring Opening of Epoxides

Iron(III) trifluoroacetate was used as an efficient and nonhygroscopic catalyst for the alcoholysis, hydrolysis, and acetolysis of epoxides. The addition of chloride, bromide, iodide, and nitrate ions to epoxides to produce the corresponding 2-halo and 2-nitratoalkanols and also the conversion of epoxides to acetonides and thiiranes were also performed efficiently in the presence of this catalyst.