Reactions of transition metal complexes with cyclic ethers

Three novel reactions of epoxides with homogeneous transition-metal catalysts have been explored: (a) the selective rearrangement of internal epoxides to ketones; (b) the cleavage of C-C bond in epoxides having electron-attracting substituents; (c) the transformation of terminal epoxides into esters. Based on an intensive kinetic study, a general mechanism for the transformations of epoxides is postulated