Oxidation of Vicinal Diols to α‐Hydroxy Ketones with H₂O₂ and a Simple Manganese Catalyst

Abstract

α-Hydroxy ketones are valuable synthons in organic chemistry. Here we show that oxidation of <i>vic</i>-diols to α-hydroxy ketones with H₂O₂ can be achieved with an in situ prepared catalyst based on manganese salts and pyridine-2-carboxylic acid. Furthermore the same catalyst is effective in alkene epoxidation, and it is shown that alkene oxidation with the Mn^II catalyst and H₂O₂ followed by Lewis acid ring opening of the epoxide and subsequent oxidation of the alkene to α-hydroxy ketones can be achieved under mild (ambient) conditions.