Preparation of useful building blocks, alpha -iodo- and bromoalkanols from cyclic ethers using the Dowex H super(+)/NaX (X = I, Br) approach

Our recently reported novel green chemistry tool was effectively used for opening cyclic ethers to produce alpha -iodo- and bromoalkanols. The synthesis of 4-iodobutanoic acid from gamma -butyrolactone has also been described. The method is based on the use of a dried Dowex H super(+)/NaX (X = Br, I)-system, which is effective at producing alpha -iodoalkanols and some alpha -bromoalkanols from commercially available cyclic ethers. Additionally, opening of three different crown ethers to form alpha -iodo(polyethylene)glycols with various chain lengths is demonstrated. Haloalkanols are important building blocks in synthetic chemistry e.g. for medicinal chemistry purposes.