Page "Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation" Paragraph 4

The reaction mechanism of the Sharpless dihydroxylation begins with the formation of the osmium tetroxide-ligand complex ( 2 ).

A < nowiki ></ nowiki >- cycloaddition with the alkene ( 3 ) gives the cyclic intermediate 4.

Basic hydrolysis liberates the diol ( 5 ) and the reduced osmate ( 6 ).

Finally, the stoichiometric oxidant regenerates the osmium tetroxide-ligand complex ( 2 ).