Regioselective synthesis of vic-halo alcohols and symmetrical or unsymmetrical vic-dihalides from epoxides using triphenylphosphine – N-halo imides

A simple, novel, and highly regioselective cleavage of epoxides into vicinal halo alcohols and symmetrical or unsymmetrical dihalides is described using different stoichiometries of triphenylphosphine (PPh3) and N-halo succinimide (NXS) or N-halo saccharine (NXSac).

N-halo succinimide (NXS), N-halo saccharine (NXSac), triphenylphosphine (PPh3), epoxide, vic-halo alcohol, symmetrical dihalide, unsymmetrical dihalide.