Dihydroxylation of styrene by sodium chlorite with scandium triflate

Abstract

Dihydroxylation of styrene by chlorite (ClO2-) with scandium triflate [Sc(OTf)(3)] occurs efficiently to produce 1-phenylethane-1,2-diol under the ambient conditions. Scandium triflate acting as a strong Lewis acid is found to accelerate the disproportionation of ClO2- to produce ClO- and ClO3-. A scandium-chlorine dioxide complex ((Sc3+ClO2 center dot)) is generated by the reaction of ClO- with ClO2- in the presence of Sc3+. The binding of Sc3+ to ClO2 center dot was detected by the electron paramagnetic resonance measurements, enhancing the reactivity and selectivity of styrene hydroxylation.