Magnetically recoverable osmium catalysts for dihydroxylation of olefins

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.tetlet.2011.04.030

We prepared magnetically recoverable osmium catalysts by use of magnetite, quaternary ammonium salts, and potassium osmate(VI), and applied them to the dihydroxylation of olefins. By employing 2 mol% of the magnetic osmium catalyst, the dihydroxylation reaction proceeded smoothly to provide the corresponding vicinal diol in a good chemical yield. The osmium catalyst was readily recovered by use of an external magnet, and was reused repeatedly.