Regioselective ring-opening of epoxides towards Markovnikov alcohols: a metal-free catalytic approach using abnormal N-heterocyclic carbene

Herein we report the first metal-free regioselective Markovnikov ring-opening of epoxides (selectivity up to 99%) using an abnormal N-heterocyclic carbene (aNHC) to yield secondary alcohols. DFT calculations and X-ray crystallography suggest that the Markovnikov selectivity originates from the high nucleophilicity and steric factors associated with the aNHC. This work highlights the metal-free Markovnikov ring-opening of epoxides using a nucleophilic abnormal N-heterocyclic carbene (aNHC).