Al-MCM-41: An efficient and recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of β-hydroxy thiocyanates in water

An efficient and green procedure has been developed for the synthesis of β-hydroxy thiocyanate by the regioselective ring opening of epoxides with nh 4scn. the reaction was carried out in water without any organic solvent at 40°c,using al-mcm-41 (a mesoporous aluminosilicate) as catalyst. in this method,several types of epoxides carrying electron-donating or withdrawing groups were rapidly converted to the corresponding β-hydroxy thiocyanates in good from excellent yields. various advantages associated with this protocol include simple workup procedure,short reaction times,high product yields,greater regioselectivity,and easy recovery and reusability of the catalyst. © 2013 soheil sayyahi et al.