An efficient α-hydroxylation of carbonyls using the HOF·CH3CN complex

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(98)01173-9

The complex HOF·CH₃CN, made directly from fluorine and aqueous acetonitrile, was used for α-hydroxylation of various ketones, esters and acids via their trimethyl silyl enol ethers. The reaction is usually complete in a few minutes at room temperature or below and has high yields.