Reinvestigation of the conversion of epoxides into halohydrins with elemental halogen catalysed by thiourea

In contrast to a previous literature report, thiourea is not a catalyst in the ring opening reaction of epoxides by means of bromine or iodine. Instead, thiourea reacts with the halogen to give a complex mixture of products, among them hydrogen halogenides, which are in fact the real epoxide ring opening reactants. The presence of water is crucial in this reaction.