Iron substituted Wells-Dawson type polyoxometalate for green and mild epoxide ring-opening with sodium azide and acetic anhydride

Abstract

This research focuses on the catalytic effect of transition metals substituted Wells-Dawson type polyoxometalates (M-WDPOMs; M = Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Ni, and Zn) in epoxide ring-opening reactions. These catalysts were chosen for their sustainability, non-toxic nature, availability, low cost, environmental friendliness, and high electron transfer ability. The M-WDPOM compounds were prepared, characterized using various techniques, and their catalytic activities in ring-opening reactions of different epoxides with sodium azide and acetic anhydride were investigated. Azidolysis reactions were performed under reflux in a mixture of acetonitrile and water, while acetolysis reactions were conducted under solvent-free conditions. Among the different M-WDPOM catalysts, Fe-WDPOM demonstrated the highest catalytic performance in these ring-opening reactions with shorter reaction times and higher yields. Consequently, azidoalcohols and diacetates were produced efficiently with high to excellent yields (80–98 %). © 2025 Elsevier B.V.