Phenol-containing macrocyclic diamides as new catalysts in the highly regioselective conversion of epoxides to beta-hydroxy thiocyanates.

The regioselective ring-opening reactions of some epoxides with ammonium thiocyanate in the presence of a series of new phenol-containing macrocyclic diamides and also dibenzo-18-crown-6-, 18-crown-6-, benzo-15-crown-5-, and pyridine-containing macrocyclic diamide have been studied. The epoxides were subject to cleavage by NH(4)SCN in the presence of these catalysts under mild reaction conditions in various aprotic solvents. In this study, reagents and conditions have been discovered with which the individual beta-hydroxy thiocyanates can be synthesized in high yield and with more than 90% regioselectivity. The results can be discussed in terms of a four-step mechanism: (1) formation of complex between catalyst and NH(4)SCN, (2) release of SCN(-) nucleophile from the complex, (3) reaction of the active nucleophile at the less sterically hindered site in the epoxide, and (4) regeneration of catalyst. The major advantages of this method are as follows: (1) high regioselectivity, (2) simple regeneration of catalyst, (3) its reuse through several cycles without a decrease in activity, and (4) ease of workup of the reaction.