Catalytic alcoholysis of epoxides using metal-free cucurbituril-based solids.

Metal-free cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) solid-state assemblies promote acid-catalysed alcoholysis of aliphatic and aromatic epoxides under mild conditions to give β-alkoxy alcohols, which are important intermediates for the synthesis of a vast range of compounds such as bioactive pharmaceuticals. The catalytic process is heterogeneous and the catalyst can be reused in consecutive runs without any reactivation treatment. The acid species responsible for the catalytic activity of CB7 may be entrapped hydronium ions.