Polymer supported ferric chloride: Regiospecific nucleophilic ring opening of epoxides

Cross-linked polystyrene, 4-vinyl pyridine copolymer beads were prepared, characterized and were used to complex ferric chloride. This polymer metal complex was used as a heterogeneous, recoverable and reusable Lewis acid in nucleophilic ring opening of different epoxides to prepare β alkoxy alcohols and β azidohydrins in good to excellent yields.