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Updated: May 26, 2026

Facile Preparation of (2Z,4E)-Dienamides by the Olefination of Electron-deficient Alkenes with Allyl Acetate
Published on: June 21, 2017
Metal-free dihydroxylation of alkenes using cyclobutane malonoyl peroxide
Kevin M Jones1, Nicholas C O Tomkinson
1School of Chemistry, Main Building, Cardiff University, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK.
Abstract:
Cyclobutane malonoyl peroxide (7), prepared in a single step from the commercially available diacid 6, is an effective reagent for the dihydroxylation of alkenes. Reaction of a chloroform solution of 7 with an alkene in the presence of 1 equiv of water at 40 °C followed by alkaline hydrolysis leads to the corresponding diol (30-84%). With 1,2-disubstituted alkenes, the reaction proceeds with syn-selectivity (3:1 → 50:1). A mechanism consistent with experimental findings is proposed, which is supported by deuterium and oxygen labeling studies and explains the stereoselectivity observed. Alternative reaction pathways that are dependent on the structure of the starting alkene are also described leading to the synthesis of allylic alcohols and γ-lactones.
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