Greener and facile aqueous regioselective synthesis of vicinal azidoalcohols using silica-bound 3-((polyethyleneglycol)ethyl)-8-methyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium bromide as a recyclable catalyst

An environmentally benign, aqueous synthesis of vicinal azidoalcohols by the regioselective nucleophilic ring opening of epoxides with azide anion using silica-bound 3-((polyethyleneglycol)ethyl)-8-methyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium bromide as an effective heterogeneous phase transfer catalyst is described. Short reaction time, simple work-up procedure, high yield, reusability, and use of an eco-friendly catalyst are some of the striking features of the present protocol.