Discussion The literature relating to the direction of cleavage of the substituted epoxide ring is extensive and various hypotheses to explain the observed isomer distribution have been considered. Electronic factors such as relative electron densities at the two carbon atoms of the epoxide, 2 allylic3 or hyperconjugative stabilization of a carbonium substituent inductive effect^^^^^ and~ omplexing~~ or solvent effect~~~~ ls~ as well as steric factors such as ...
