Epoxides: methods of synthesis, reactivity, practical significance

This review systematically summarizes recent literature data on the chemistry of epoxides published from 2010 to 2021 and, in part, in 2022. Epoxides are an important class of compounds, which are valuable building blocks in the design of new structures serving as the basis for many practically important compounds. Epoxy derivatives have long attracted the attention of synthetic chemists, as confirmed by a number of name reactions associated with their synthesis. The review describes methods for the synthesis of epoxy compounds, including both improved classical and new approaches, considers chemical reactions involving epoxides, discusses the practical significance of such compounds in relation to the synthesis of natural products, drugs and polymer structures and the CO and CO₂ utilization. Much attention is paid to the issues of asymmetric synthesis, which enable one to get a general idea on the current trends in the chemistry of epoxides. The most unexpected rearrangements of functionalized epoxides are considered and the role of epoxy compounds in the synthesis of various carbo- and heterocyclic systems is discussed.
The bibliography includes 555 references.