Osmium-catalyzed asymmetric dihydroxylation by carbon dioxide-activated hydrogen peroxide and N-methylmorpholine

An improved process has been developed for the osmium-catalyzed dihydroxylation of olefins via in situ formation of NMO from NMM using CO2 catalysis and H2O2. All olefins examined were selectively cis-dihydroxylated to their corresponding diols in good to excellent yields, and by the use of chiral ligands, high enantiomeric excesses were obtained.