One-stage preparation of tetra:methyl-tri:hydroxy-hexadecane

摘要

Preparation of 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-1,2,3-trihydroxy-hexadecane (I) comprises the oxidation of 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-3-hydroxy-hexadeca-1-ene (IIa) or 3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadeca-2-ene-1-ol (IIb) in the presence of one or more organic solvents (optionally combined with water), a catalytic amount of an osmium compound (III), and a secondary oxidation agent selected from hydrogen peroxide, an alkali metal chlorate, tert.-butyl hydroperoxide, trimethylamine-N-oxide, triethylamine-N-oxide or N-methyl- morpholine-N-oxide (NMMO), at 0-100 deg C .