Oxo osmium(VIII) complexes in oxidation: crystal structures of OsO4·nmo (nmo = N-methylmorpholine N-oxide) and OsO4·nmm (nmm = N-methylmorpholine), and use of cis-[OsO4(OH)2]2- as an oxidation catalyst

Abstract

The new complexes OsO ₄ ·nmo (nmo = N-methylmorpholine N-oxide) and OsO ₄ ·nmm (nmm = N-methylmorpholine) have been made, their crystal structures determined, and their possible involvement in the catalysed dihydroxylation of alkenes considered. The use of cis-[OsO ₄ (OH) ₂ ] ^2- as a catalyst for the oxidation of alcohols, aldehydes and alkyl halides to carboxylic acids with [Fe(CN) ₆ ] ^3- and other co-oxidants and also for the cleavage and dihydroxylation of alkenes with [Fe(CN) ₆ ] ^3- has been investigated.