Catalytic Hydrogenation of Epoxides to Alcohols
Subramanian Thiyagarajan1, Chidambaram Gunanathan1
1School of Chemical Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) An OCC of Homi Bhabha National Institute, Bhubaneswar, 752050, India.
Abstract:
Atom-economical catalytic reactions are a highly enticing strategy because all atoms of the starting materials are incorporated into the products. Catalytic hydrogenation of epoxides to alcohols is an attractive and alternative protocol to other synthetic methodologies for the synthesis of alcohols from alkenes. In the last two decades, catalytic hydrogenation of epoxides to alcohols has made remarkable progress in chemical synthesis. In this review, an overview of the catalytic hydrogenation of both terminal and internal epoxides to the corresponding alcohols is presented. An outline of both homogeneous and heterogeneous hydrogenation of epoxides to the corresponding alcohols is provided. Moreover, the selectivity, efficiency, and the reaction mechanisms of these epoxide hydrogenation reactions are highlighted.
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