A Cost-Effective and Eco-Friendly Way to Dihydroxylate Terminal and Internal Alkenes Using Hydrogen Peroxide/formic Acid

Abstract In this report, we present a modified dihydroxylation procedure for terminal and internal alkenes under neat conditions using formic acid and hydrogen peroxide. Upon the in situ formation of performic acid, followed by the hydrolysis of hydroxy-formoxy compounds with excess water, we can obtain a series of diols without catalysts and bases.