Metal‐Free Ring‐Opening of Epoxides

Abstract

Epoxide ring is considered as an efficient structural toolbox to access 1,2‐difunctionalised compounds. Epoxide precursors are highly susceptible towards nucleophiles owing to its inherent ring strain. Metal free methodologies for epoxides ring opening with various nucleophiles provide an easy, economic and sustainable access to synthetically and biologically important 1,2‐difunctionalized compounds without harming the environment. This article highlights step by step development of various strategies for the ring opening of epoxides without the use of metal from last two decades. Use of water, ionic liquids, cyclodextrins and organocatalyts for the ring opening reactions of epoxide have been discussed in detail.