Peroxyformic acid preparation

Hydroxylation at double bonds of unsaturated carboxylic acids is accomplished stereoselectively by the same reagents as those used to hy-droxylate alkenes. syn Hydroxylation is carried out with potassium permanganate [101] or osmium tetroxide with hydrogen peroxide [130], sodium chlorate [310, 715], potassium chlorate [715], or silver chlorate [310] as reoxidant, anti Hydroxylation is achieved with peroxyacids, such as peroxybenzoic acid [310] or peroxyformic acid, prepared in situ from hydrogen peroxide and formic acid [101] (equation 472). 

The preparation of Pans-1,2-cyclohexanediol by oxidation of cyclohexene with peroxyformic acid and subsequent hydrolysis of the diol monoformate has been described, and other methods for the preparation of both cis- and trans-l,2-cyclohexanediols were cited. Subsequently the trans diol has been prepared by oxidation of cyclohexene with various peroxy acids, with hydrogen peroxide and selenium dioxide, and with iodine and silver acetate by the Prevost reaction. Alternative methods for preparing the trans isomer are hydroboration of various enol derivatives of cyclohexanone and reduction of Pans-2-cyclohexen-l-ol epoxide with lithium aluminum hydride. cis-1,2-Cyclohexanediol has been prepared by cis hydroxylation of cyclohexene with various reagents or catalysts derived from osmium tetroxide, by solvolysis of Pans-2-halocyclohexanol esters in a manner similar to the Woodward-Prevost reaction, by reduction of cis-2-cyclohexen-l-ol epoxide with lithium aluminum hydride, and by oxymercuration of 2-cyclohexen-l-ol with mercury(II) trifluoro-acetate in the presence of ehloral and subsequent reduction. ... 

Peroxyfomiic acid (perfomiic acid), HCO3H, is always prepared in situ from 25-30% hydrogen peroxide and 88 or 98-100% formic acid. At 26.5 C, the conversion of formic acid into peroxyformic acid requires approximately 1 h (as proven by analysis of peroxyformic acid and hydrogen peroxide contents [239]). The preparation of peroxyformic acid is carried out in the presence of the compounds to be oxidized, most often alkenes and double-bond-containing carboxylic acids. After an induction period of... 

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