Comparative study of the ring opening of 1-CF3-epoxy ethers mediated by Brönsted acids and hexafluoro-2-propanol

Hexafluoroisopropanol activates oxirane ring opening reactions with soft nucleophiles that are not themselves deactivated by hydrogen bond donation of solvent, without affecting the regioselectivity. Brönsted acid-catalyzed reactions are also facilitated in HFIP.