Regio- and stereoselective ring-opening reactions of epoxides with indoles and pyrroles in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol

Aliphatic and aromatic epoxides react regio- and stereoselectively with indoles and pyrroles in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol without the use of a catalyst or any other additive. While aromatic epoxides are selectively attacked at. the benzylic position, aliphatic epoxides react at the less-substituted position. Chiral epoxides react with > 99 % ee (ee = enantiomeric excess).