Glycolate and Thioglycolate Complexes of Rhenium and Their Oxidative Elimination of Ethylene and of Glycol

Selenium dioxide and osmium tetroxide are effective reagents and catalysts for olefin oxidation, although, owing to their toxicity, reservations remain as to their applicability.¹ We are therefore seeking more easily handled metal oxides that are soluble in organic solvents and that are as effective as osmium tetroxide in carrying out stereospecific cis hydroxylation of olefins. The rhenium(VII) oxide 1, which has meanwhile become readily accessible, is a favorable candidate.²