The reaction mixtures of 5α-cholest-2-ene with iodine-ammonium cerium(IV) nitrate
[CAN(IV)] were converted with potassium hydroxide in methanol-water to give the more
hindered 2β,3β-diol in high yield. Cyclohexene and cycloheptene similarly reacted
to the corresponding cis-diols in good yield. It was found that this reaction intermediate proceeds to give
trans-iodoacetate via trans-iodonitrate. This new synthetic method provided several advantages over the Prevost
reaction.
iodine-ammonium cerium(IV) nitrate -
cis-diols -
trans-iodoacetate -
trans-iodonitrate