Facile ring opening of 2,3-epoxy-steroids with aromatic amines in ionic liquids.

Efficient ring opening of steroidal 2,3-epoxides with stoichiometric amount of aromatic amines has been carried out using an ionic liquid ([bmim](+)[BF(4)](-)) both as solvent and catalyst. The reactions were completely regio- and stereoselective in each case. The aminoalcohol products have chair conformations in ring A. The ionic liquid-mediated ring opening can efficiently be carried out with aliphatic amines like morpholine as well.