The catalytic activity and regioselectivity were studied of the salenCo(III)OAc complex in the reaction of addition of aliphatic carboxylic acids to a series of terminal epoxides (epichlorohydrin, 1,2-epoxybutane, propylene oxide, tert-butyl glycidyl ether and 2,3-epoxypropyl phenyl ether). The reduction in the activity in the order: acetic > acrylic > methacrylic acid was found. The regioselectivity of the addition was independent on carboxylic acid nature and depended on the nature of the epoxide. The best regioselectivity for the addition to epichlorohydrin was observed. The catalytic activity and regioselectivity of salenCo(III)OAc were compared with those for chromium(III) acetate catalyst. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.