The ring opening of epoxides by various amino acid esters is described in refluxing trifluoroethanol without any catalyst. Under these simple conditions the corresponding beta-amino alcohols are obtained in good to excellent yields in relatively short reaction times compared to previously reported methods.

A very easy access to new trifluoromethyl-hydroxyethylamine (Tf-HEA) derivatives by epoxide ring opening with amino-containing compounds, including aliphatic amines, aniline, aqueous ammonia, hydroxylamine, hydrazine, amino acids and a dipeptide, is described herein. The reactions were carried out in protic solvents, without the use of any