Efficient regio- and stereoselective ring opening of epoxides with alcohols, acetic acid and water catalyzed by ammonium decatungstocerate(IV)

Epoxides can be cleaved in a regio- and stereoselective manner under neutral conditions with alcohols and acetic acid in the presence of catalytic amounts of decatungstocerate(IV) ion, ([CeW10O36](8-)), affording the corresponding beta-alkoxy and beta-acetoxy alcohols in high yields. In water, ring opening of epoxides occurs with this catalyst to produce the corresponding diols in good yields. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.