Iodine and iodine supported on polyvinylpyrrolidone (betadine) have been used as catalysts for ring opening of epoxides and as reagent for ring-opening dimerization of thiiranes in alcohols, water, and acetic acid. The reactions occur with high regio-, chemo-, and stereoselectivity. The reaction of R-(+)-styrene oxide with I2 supported on PVP in methanol was found to be very stereospecific and the product was isolated in 93% ee. Keywords: iodine, support, polyvinylpyrrolidone, ring opening, epoxides, thiiranes.