Schiff-Base Metal(II) Complexes as New Catalysts in the Efficient, Mild and Regioselective Conversion of 1,2-Epoxyethanes to 2-Hydroxyethyl Thiocyanates with Ammonium Thiocyanate

A convenient and efficient procedure for the ring-opening of 1,2- epoxyethanes with ammonium thiocyanate in the presence of some Schiff-base complexes of metal(II) is described. The cleavage of the oxirane ring is found to proceed regioselectively under mild reaction conditions. Thus, several 2-hydroxyethyl thiocyanates, useful intermediates toward biological-active molecules, are easily obtained in very good yields.