Dimethyl carbonate-water: an environmentally friendly solvent system for ruthenium tetraoxide oxidations

Dimethyl carbonate (DMC)-water is an environmentally benign solvent system for ruthenium tetraoxide oxidations of various substrates including alkenes, alkynes, arenes, alcohols, ethers and aldehydes. Either hydrated ruthenium trichloride or hydrated ruthenium dioxide can be used as sources of ruthenium, while suitable cooxidants include sodium periodate, bleach and Oxone(R).