Production of 3,4-dihydroxy phospholane oxides

Abstract

A process for the preparation of a 3,4-dihydroxy phsopholane oxide of the formula ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 represents an alkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, alkenyloxy, alkinyl or alkinyloxy with up to 18 carbon atoms and substitution products thereof; aryl and aryloxy having up to 14 carbon atoms and substitution products thereof; cycloalkyl and cycloalkoxy having up to 6 ring carbon atoms and substitution products thereof; dialkylamino having up to 6 carbon atoms per alkyl radical and substitution products thereof; and N-hetero-radicals, and R.sup.2, r.sup.3 and R.sup.4 independently of one another represent a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl radical or hydrogen, Comprising reacting a phospholene oxide of the formula ##STR2## with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a catalytic amount of an osmium compound at a temperature in the range of about 20.degree. to 150.degree. C, especially about 35.degree. to 100.degree. C.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.