Demonstration of a phosphazirconocene as a catalyst for the ring opening of epoxides with TMSCl

[reaction: see text] In this study, it was demonstrated for the first time that a phosphazirconocene catalyzes the ring opening of epoxides with TMSCl. This reactivity leads to a facile preparation of chlorohydrins. The late transition metal Fe analogue was found to catalyze the reaction at rates and stereoselectivity comparable to those of the Zr complex.