Metal or no metal: That is the question!

Abstract

Dihydroxylation with peroxides: The 1,2-dihydroxy structural motif, which can be generated from a C=C bond, occurs widely in organic compounds. Advances in the syn dihydroxylation of alkenes with cyclic acyl peroxides broaden the application of this transformation for a variety of olefins (see scheme). In recent studies the scope, limitations, and a mechanistic pathway have been delineated. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.