Osmium tetroxide-catalysed oxidation of olefins

Abstract

A wide range of olefins are oxidised by osmium tetroxide in aqueous alkaline solution and the Os^VIII is reduced to Os^VI or Os^IV. If the pH is kept in the range 8.5–12.5, it is possible to reoxidise the osmium compound to its initial state with oxygen at atmospheric pressure. Under these conditions osmium tetroxide acts as an oxidation catalyst. Simple alcohols, glycols, glycerol, acetone, and glucose are also oxidised under these conditions; the products are usually oxalic acid and carbon dioxide. Styrene gives benzoic acid and carbon dioxide.