PEG-SO3H as eco-friendly polymeric catalyst for regioselective ring opening of epoxides using thiocyanate anion in water: An efficient route to synthesis of β-hydroxy thiocyanate

An efficient and environmentally friendly process for the synthesis of β-hydroxy thiocyanates from epoxides using NH4SCN and poly(ethylene glycol)-bound sulfonic acid as catalyst in water without any organic solvent has been developed. Thus, several β-hydroxy thiocyanates, useful synthetic intermediates towards the synthesis of many biologically active compounds, are easily obtained in high yields under mild conditions.