Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol.133, No.34, 13320-13322, 2011
Metal-Free, Aerobic Dioxygenation of Alkenes Using Simple Hydroxamic Acid Derivatives
The dioxygenation of alkenes using molecular oxygen and a simple hydroxamic acid derivative has been achieved. The reaction system consists of readily prepared methyl N-hydroxy-N-phenylcarbamate and molecular oxygen with a radical initiator, offering an alternative to common dioxygenation processes catalyzed by precious transition metals. This transformation capitalizes on the unique reactivity profile of hydroxamic acid derivatives in radical-mediated alkene addition processes.