Catalytic activity of salenCo(III)OAc complex in the reaction of addition of carboxylic acids to terminal epoxides

The catalytic activity and regioselectivity were studied of the salenCo(III)OAc complex in the reaction of addition of aliphatic carboxylic acids (2) to a series of terminal epoxides (3). The reduction in the activity in the order: acetic > acrylic > methacrylic acid was found. The regioselectivity of the addition was independent on carboxylic acid nature and depended on the nature of the epoxide.