Bis-chlorodibutyltin oxide as a new reagent for a mild, versatile and regioselective ring-opening of epoxides

A convenient and efficient procedure for the ring-opening of epoxides by me ans of alcohols and bis-chlorodibutyltin oxide is described. The cleavage o f the oxiranes is found to proceed regioselectively under mild reaction con ditions. Thus, several haloalkanols, useful intermediates toward biological active molecules, are easily obtained in very good yields.