Direct Spectroscopic Evidence for the Formation of an Asymmetric Intermediate in the Oxidation of Alkenes by Osmium Tetraoxide
1H N.m.r. spectral investigation of the reaction of osmium tetraoxide, OsO4, with 1,1'-diphenylethene has shown, for the first time, direct evidence for the formation of an asymmetric intermediate which may be assign ed as involving a cyclic four-membered ring species with an osmium-carbon bond.