The invention comprises a process for the manufacture of anhydrous alkylene chlorohydrins and O-heterocyclic compounds of the formula: <;FORM:0758425/IV(a)/1>; in which R1 is H or CH3, R2 is H or CH3, R3 is H, CH3 or C2H5, m is 1 or 2 and n is 1-3, by the action of alkylene glycols on polychlorinated ethers of the general formula ClCH2.CHR4-O-CR1ClCH3-nCln, which may be obtained by chlorinating b ,b 1-dichlordialkyl ethers obtainable by the aqueous chlorhydrination of olefines. In the reaction the chlorohydrin product depends on the R4 group of the chloroether and the chloromethyl-Oheterocyclic compound obtained depends on the R1 group and n in the ether, the remainder depending on the nature of the glycol. Acidic ion-exchange resins serve as catalysts. In examples, a -b -b 1-trichlorodiethyl ether is reacted with ethylene glycol under various conditions to give ethylene chlorhydrin anhydrous and chloromethyl dioxolan <;FORM:0758425/IV(a)/2>; and with diethylene glycol to give anhydrous ethylene chlorhydrin and 2 - chloromethyl-1 : 3 : 6-trioxocane; a -b -b -b 1-tetrachlorodiethyl ether and ethylene glycol yield dichloromethyldioxolane. Other glycols specified are propylene and butylene glycols and other chlorinated ethers include b ,b 1-dichlorodipropylether, chlorinated further. Specification 744,454 is referred to.;FORM:0758425/IV(a)/2>;FORM:0758425/IV(a)/1>