Efficient, highly regioselective, and stereospecific conversion of glycidol systems into C2-O-acylated vicinal halohydrins

Glycidyl esters and ethers undergo a regioselective and stereospecific opening of the oxirane ring upon treatment in chloroform in the presence of pyridine with trimethylsilyl halide (TMSX, X = Cl, Br, or I) and a mixture of carboxylic acid (CA)–trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA), to produce the corresponding C2-O-acylated vicinal halohydrins in high yields.