Regioselective ring opening of epoxides using NH4SCN/silica sulfuric acid: An efficient approach for the synthesis of β-hydroxy thiocyanate under solvent-free conditions

Silica sulfuric acid was developed as a stable and efficient heterogeneous catalyst in organic synthesis. This solid acid catalyzed the regioselective ring opening of epoxides by thiocyanate anion to give thiocyanohydrins as key intermediates in agricultural and pharmaceutical chemistry in high yields under solvent-free conditions.