Protective opening of epoxide using pivaloyl halides under catalyst-free conditions

An efficient and environmentally benign protocol for protective opening of epoxide (POE) with pivaloyl halides in solvent-free conditions and in aqueous media under catalyst-free conditions has been developed. The green reaction conditions, simple work-up procedures, high yields and broad scope of the reaction illustrate the good synthetic utility of this method. The key advantages of the reaction are regioselectivity and reconvertability of products into their prior epoxides in the presence of mild reaction conditions.