Direct, efficient, and inexpensive formation of alpha-hydroxyketones from olefins by hydrogen peroxide oxidation catalyzed by the 12-tungstophosphoric acid/cetylpyridinium chloride system

The direct ketohydroxylation of a variety of 1-aryl-1-alkenes with H2O2, catalyzed by the inexpensive 12-tungstophosphoric acid/cetylpyridinium chloride system under verymild conditions, was achieved. Various acyloins were obtained in good yields and high regioselectivies.