Several C-3-symmetric trialkanolamines can be efficiently obtained via molecular sieve-assisted epoxide ring opening with ammonia in high yields (up to 90%) and regioselectivity up to 100%. These trialkanolamines were effective for the asymmetric alkynylation of aldehydes and the propargyl alcohols were obtained in high yields (up to 92%) and high enantiomeric excesses (up to 95%). The H-1 NMR spectra support that there could be a complex mixture of polynuclear Ti(IV)-based species form from the interaction of Ti(IV) with ligand. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.