Synthesis of renewable plasticizer alcohols by formal anti-Markovnikov hydration of terminal branched chain alkenes via a borane-free oxidation/reduction sequence

An efficient method for the formal anti-Markovnikov hydration of 1,1-disubstituted alkenes has been developed. The utility of the process has been demonstrated by conversion of bio-derived butene oligomers into primary alcohols through initial oxidation to vicinal acetoxy-alcohols, diols, or diacetates, followed by selective dehydration/tautomerization of the diols, and hydrogenation of the intermediary aldehydes. This approach allows for the isolation of important industrial plasticizer alcohols from a renewable source. In a broader context, this pathway, which can be conducted with sustainable, conventional reagents under mild conditions, represents a unique alternative to hydroboration for a challenging subset of hindered olefins.