An efficient method for the formal anti-Markovnikov hydration of 1,1-disubstituted alkenes has been developed. The utility of the process has been demonstrated by conversion of bio-derived butene oligomers into primary alcohols through initial oxidation to vicinal acetoxy-alcohols, diols, or diacetates, followed by selective dehydration/tautomerization of the diols, and hydrogenation of the intermediary aldehydes. This approach allows for the isolation of important industrial plasticizer alcohols from a renewable source. In a broader context, this pathway, which can be conducted with sustainable, conventional reagents under mild conditions, represents a unique alternative to hydroboration for a challenging subset of hindered olefins.
You have access to this article
Please wait while we load your content...
Something went wrong. Try again?