Stereoselective hydrolysis of sec-mono-alkyl sulfate esters with retention of configuration

An optimised method for the stereoselective hydrolysis of sec-alkylsulfate monoesters with absolute retention of configuration was developed. Under optimised conditions, clean hydrolysis of (R)-2-octyl sulfate was achieved in aqueous t-butyl methyl ether (3:97) using 0.6 equiv of p-toluenesulfonic acid as catalyst and 0.33 equiv of dioxane as mediator to give (R)-2-octanol as the sole product in the absence of side reactions, such as racemisation or elimination.