Environmentally benign and highly regioselective ring opening of epoxides accelerated by ultrasound irradiation

Regioselective ring opening of aliphatic and aromatic epoxides with nitrogen heterocycles such as indoles and imidazoles was accelerated using an ultrasonic technique as a green approach. An optimized procedure with the catalyst of choice, MCM-41, represents a real alternative to the conventional reaction protocols owing to the catalyst recyclability, simplicity, green conditions and time-saving aspects.