Montmorillonite K10 catalyzed highly regioselective azidolysis of epoxides: A short and efficient synthesis of phenylglycine

A series of β‐hydroxyazides were effectively synthesized from the regioselective ring opening of epoxides by sodium azide using montmorillonite K10 as a novel heterogeneous catalyst in aqueous acetonitrile in good to excellent yields. The utility of this method has been demonstrated by achieving a short synthesis of phenylglycine in 33.5% overall yield.