FeCl3•6H2O Supported on SiO2 Catalysed Ring Opening of Epoxides with Alcohols, Acetic Acid, Water, Chloride, Bromide and Nitrate Ions

FeCl3•6H2O absorbed on chromatographic silica gel can act as an efficient catalyst for alcoholysis, hydrolysis and acetolysis of epoxides. Methanolysis of (R)-styrene oxide proceeds with high stereospecificity and in excellent yield. This catalyst can also convert epoxides to their corresponding β-halohydrins and β-nitrato alcohols in the presence of chloride, bromide and nitrate ions respectively.