FeCl3 center dot 6H2O supported on SiO2 catalysed ring opening of epoxides with alcohols, acetic acid, water, chloride, bromide and nitrate ions

FeCl3 . 6H(2)O 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 stereo-specificity and in excellent yield. This catalyst can also convert epoxides to their corresponding beta-halohydrins and beta-nitrato alcohols in the presence of chloride, bromide and nitrate ions respectively.