Regioselective Ring-Opening of Glycidol to Monoalkyl Glyceryl Ethers Promoted by an [OSSO]-Fe-III Triflate Complex

A Fe-III-triflate complex, bearing a bis-thioether-di-phenolate [OSSO]-type ligand, was discovered to promote the ring-opening of glycidol with alcohols under mild reaction conditions (0.05 mol % catalyst and 80 degrees C). The reaction proceeded with high activity (initial turnover frequency of 1680 h(-1) for EtOH) and selectivity (>95 %) toward the formation of twelve monoalkyl glyceryl ethers (MAGEs) in a regioselective fashion (84-96 % yield of the non-symmetric regioisomer). This synthetic approach allows the conversion of a glycerol-derived platform molecule (i.e., glycidol) to high-value-added products by using an Earth-crust abundant metal-based catalyst.