CAS 15467-25-1: 2-methoxybutan-1-ol

2-Methoxy-1-butanol

2-Methoxy-1-butanol is a hydroxy group with a primary alcohol that is often used in the oxidation of epoxides. The cavity of 2-methoxy-1-butanol forms hydrogen bonds with the epoxide ring, which allows for an epoxide to be cleaved by the ring opening. This process requires an acid catalyst and has an activation energy of 170 kJ/mol. The reaction rate is 5.0 x 10^6 M/sec and the reaction mechanism is proposed to be as follows: first, phosphotungstic acid reacts with water to form phosphotungstate ion; second, phosphotungstate ion reacts with butanol to produce hydroxyl group.