A novel and unusual approach based on a ClCF2COONaDMF 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, e.g., CH2=CH-CH2-O-Z, CH3CH2-O-Z, C6H5-O-Z, C6H4(o-CH3)-O-Z, CH2=C(CH3)C(=O)-O-Z, etc., (where Z = glycidyl), difluorocarbene-induced facile regioselective ring opening of epoxides has generated the compound in high yield (70%83%). [Formula: see text] Key words: difluorocarbene, sodium chlorodifluoroacetate, chlorohydrins.