Al(HSO4)3/silica gel as a novel catalytic system for the ring opening of epoxides with thiocyanate anion under solvent-free conditions

For the first time, metal hydrogen sulfates and phosphates/silica gel have been studied as efficient and powerful solid acid catalysts in the ring opening of epoxides with thiocyanate anion. The most significant result was obtained by Al(HSO4)3/SiO2 which afforded the corresponding β-hydroxy thiocyanates under mild reaction conditions and in very short reaction times. The cheapness, availability of the catalyst, ease of procedure and work-up make this method attractive for the organic synthesis.