Double Metal Cyanides as Efficient Solid Acid Catalysts for Synthesis of β-Amino Alcohols Under Solvent-Free Conditions.

A novel application of Fe–Zn double metal cyanide complexes as solid, acid catalysts for regioselective synthesis of β-amino alcohols under solvent-free conditions via ring-opening of epoxides with amines is reported for the first time. The conversion of epoxides to β-amino alcohols is nearly 100%. In the reaction with styrene oxide, regioselective β-amino alcohol formation is higher with aromatic than with aliphatic amines. Strong Lewis acidic Zn2+ ions in the catalyst are probably the active sites in this reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]