. Define both Acid catalysed opening and Base catalysed opening

Best Answer

The acid reacts with epoxides to prooduce a protonated epoxide. The protonated epoxide reacts with the weak nucleophile (water) to form protonated glycol , which then transfer a proton to a molecule of water to form the glycol and hydronium ion.

Base Catalysed opening: Epoxides can also undergo base - catalysed ring opening provided the attacking nucleophile is also a strong base such as an alkoxide or hydroxide ion.