Process for preparation of ether, thioether or secondary amine derivatives in the presence of a heterogeneous acidic catalyst

A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I)

• in the form of any of its stereoisomers or a mixture thereof, wherein
• Y is a sulfur atom, an oxygen atom or a NH group, and
• R1 represents a C1-12 alkyl, C2-12 alkenyl, a C5-12 cycloalkyl or C5-12 cycloalkenyl group, each optionally substituted by 1 to 3 C1-4 alkyl groups;
• and
• each R2, R3, R4 represent, when taken separately, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom or a C1-4 alkyl group;
• comprising a reaction of a compound of formula (II)
• wherein X is a thiol group, alcohol group or primary amine group, and
• wherein R1 and R2 have the same meaning as defined above;
• with an epoxide of formula (III)
• wherein R3 and R4 have the same meaning as defined above;
• in the presence of a heterogeneous acidic catalyst.