Process for hydroxylating olefins using an osmium oxide catalyst and sodium hydroxide co-catalyst

摘要

A process for hydroxylating olefins, such as ethylene or propylene, using an organic hydroperoxide oxidant and a catalyst composition comprising at least one osmium oxide catalyst, such as OsO4 and NaOH as a co-catalyst, is characterised by a molar ratio of Na:Os of 0.1:1 to 20:1 in the catalyst, and is conducted in the presence of an inert polar organic solvent sufficient to maintain the reaction mixture at least 50% organic.