Epoxide ring opening in a zinc(II) complex in water without any Lewis acid catalyst: Formation of only one diastereomer out of 23

► Opening of epoxide in 5,6-dihydro-5,6-epoxy-1,10-phenanthroline chelated to Zn(II). ► By aromatic amines in boiling water. ► Absence of any Lewis acid catalyst. ► Diastereoselectivity. ► NMR.