A novel and unusual approach based on a ClCF2COONa DMF system has been developed for the synthesis of chlorohydrins via an unexpected mechanism. In a first ever report for the synthesis of chlorohydrins from glycidyl ethers, eg, CH2= CH-CH2-OZ, CH3CH2-OZ, C6H5- OZ, C6H4 (o-CH3)-OZ, CH2= C (CH3) C (= O)-OZ, etc.,(where Z= glycidyl), difluorocarbene- induced facile regioselective ring opening of epoxides has generated the compound in ...