Cu(OTf)2-Catalyzed Selective Opening of Aryl and Vinyl Epoxides with Carbonyl Compounds to Give 1,3-Dioxolanes

Copper(II) triflate catalyzes the ring-opening of aryl- and vinyl-substituted epoxides with various carbonyl compounds to furnish 1,3-dioxolanes under mild conditions. Alkyl- and alkoxycarbonyl-substituted epoxides remain unchanged under reaction conditions. This allows selective opening of arylsubstituted epoxides in the presence of alkyl-substituted ones.