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 β-alkoxy and β-acetoxy alcohols in high yields. In water, ring opening of epoxides occurs with this catalyst to produce the corresponding diols in good yields.