Titanocene-Catalyzed Regiodivergent Epoxide Opening – From Desymmetrizing meso-Epoxides to Regiodivergent Arylation of Epoxides

Abstract

While SN2 based desymmetrization of meso-epoxides has been extensively researched, the more general regioselective opening of cis-1,2 substituted epoxides via SN2 mechanism remains elusive. This short review outlines, how this limitation could be overcome by parting with SN2 and moving towards a radical-based mechanism. The development and refinement of the titanocene(III)-catalyzed regiodivergent epoxide opening (REO) is described.1 Introduction to Asymmetric Catalysis2 From Enantiodivergent to Regiodivergent Epoxide Opening3 Regiodivergent Arylation of Epoxides4 Conclusion