Electrophilic Ring Opening of Small Heterocycles

Abstract

Small heterocycles, such as epoxides, aziridines, and ox­etanes are among the most useful building blocks in organic synthesis. Through electrophilic ring opening of these molecules, various electrophilic functional groups can be installed, which cannot be achieved via classic nucleophilic ring-opening reactions. In this review, the developments of electrophilic ring opening of small heterocycles are surveyed and organized according to the types of metal promoters.1 Introduction2 Electrophilic Ring Opening of Small Heterocycles Using Stoichiometric Metals2.1 Lithium-Mediated Electrophilic Ring Opening of Epoxides and Oxetanes2.2 Chromium-Mediated Electrophilic Ring Opening of Vinyl Epoxides2.3 Tin-Mediated Electrophilic Ring Opening of Vinyl Epoxides2.4 Samarium-Mediated Electrophilic Ring Opening of Vinyl and Alkynyl Epoxides2.5 Titanium-Mediated Electrophilic Ring Opening of Epoxides2.6 Platinum, Palladium, and Nickel-Mediated Electrophilic Ring Opening of 1,1-Dimethyl Ethylene Oxide3 Catalytic Electrophilic Ring Opening of Small Heterocycles3.1 Titanium-Catalyzed Electrophilic Ring Opening of Epoxides3.2 Palladium-Catalyzed Electrophilic Ring Opening of Vinyl and Alkynyl Small Heterocycles3.3 Iron-Catalyzed Electrophilic Ring Opening of Oxetanes3.4 Scandium-Catalyzed Electrophilic Ring Opening of Vinyl Epoxides3.5 Iridium-Catalyzed Electrophilic Ring Opening of 2-Methyl 2-Vinyl­oxiranes3.6 Nickel-Catalyzed Electrophilic Ring Opening of Epoxides and Aziridines3.7 Nickel–Titanium-Cocatalyzed Electrophilic Ring Opening of Epoxides4 Summary