Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 19, 2026
Ozonolysis of Alkenes: Principle and Applications
Published on: April 30, 2023
Syn-Dihydroxylation of Alkenes Using a Sterically Demanding Cyclic Diacyl Peroxide
Afsaneh Pilevar1, Abolfazl Hosseini1, Jonathan Becker2
1Institute of Organic Chemistry , Justus Liebig University , Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17 , 35392 Giessen , Germany.
Abstract:
The syn-dihydroxylation of alkenes is a highly valuable reaction in organic synthesis. Cyclic acyl peroxides (CAPs) have emerged recently as promising candidates to replace the commonly employed toxic metals for this purpose. Here, we demonstrate that the structurally demanding cyclic peroxide spiro[bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,4'-[1,2]dioxolane]-3',5'-dione (P4) can be effectively used for the syn-dihydroxylation of alkenes. Reagent P4 also shows an improved selectivity for dihydroxylation of alkenes bearing β-hydrogens as compared to other CAPs, where both diol and allyl alcohol products compete with each other. Furthermore, the use of enantiopure P4 (labeled P4') demonstrates the potential of P4' for a metal-free asymmetric syn-dihydroxylation of alkenes.
Related Concept Videos
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Osmium Tetraoxide
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Potassium Permanganate
Oxidation of Alkenes: Anti Dihydroxylation with Peroxy Acids
Ozonolysis of Alkenes
This experiment will demonstrate an example of an ozonolysis reaction to synthesize vanillin from isoeugenol (Figure 1). Ozonolysis of alkenes, an oxidation reaction between ozone and an alkene, is a common method to prepare aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids. This experiment also demonstrates the use of an ozone generator and a low temperature (−78 °C) reaction.
Cyclic Voltammetry (CV)
A Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) experiment involves the scan of a range of potential voltages while measuring current. In the CV experiment, the potential of an immersed, stationary electrode is scanned from a predetermined starting potential to a final value (called the switching potential) and then the reverse scan is obtained. This gives a 'cyclic' sweep of potentials and the current vs. potential curve derived from...
Radical Reactivity: Steric Effects
Along with electronic...