Rhodium-catalyzed aminohydroxylation of unactivated alkenes in aqueous media for the benign synthesis of 1,2-amino alcohols

Abstract

An efficient catalytic aminohydroxylation reaction of alkenes in aqueous media is disclosed for the first time. The multiple roles water plays as a reaction medium, nucleophile, and Brønsted acid catalyst provide high reactivity and chemo- and regioselectivities to this transformation. This method provides easy access to various valuable vicinal amino alcohols in a sustainable manner.