text: Other methods available for the preparation of 2,3-epoxy alcohols have the advantage that they do not begin with an existing 2,3-epoxy alcohol; however, they tend to involve more steps than epoxide migration. Asymmetric dihydroxylation may be used to synthesize epoxy alcohols with high stereoselectivity, and some of the methods relying on dihydroxylation avoid the use of strongly basic conditions.
  An alternative method that leads to retention of configuration at C-2 involves mesylation of an epoxy alcohol, epoxide opening, and re-closing by displacement of the mesylate.