A catlaytic tellurium process for the transposition of allylic hydroxyl groups and carbon-carbon double bonds

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)77252-2

As little as 0.1 molar equivalent of elemental tellurium in combination with excess (up to 3 molar equivalents) reducing agent (HOCH₂SO₂Na·H₂O, NaBH₄, or LiEt₃BH) effects the telluride-ion mediated transposition of allylic hydroxyl groups and carbon-carbon double bonds that proceeds via the epoxy tosylate. The workup is much more convenient than when a molar equivalent of tellurium is used.