Tandem Olefin Metathesis/α-Ketohydroxylation Revisited

EWG-activated and polar quaternary ammonium salt-tagged ruthenium metathesis catalysts have been applied in a two-step one-pot metathesis-oxidation process leading to functionalized α-hydroxyketones (acyloins). In this assisted tandem process, the metathesis catalyst is used first to promote ring-closing metathesis (RCM) and cross-metathesis (CM) steps, then upon the action of Oxone™ converts into an oxidation catalyst able to transform the newly formed olefinic product into acyloin under mild conditions.