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).