A study on the ring opening of a number of epoxides 1 with trifluoroacetamide (2) under solid-liquid phase transfer catalysis (SL-PTC) conditions has been performed. The reaction is completely regioselective affording beta-amido alcohols 3 deriving from the attack of the nucleophile to the less substituted carbon atom of the oxirane ring. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.