Here,
we report the selective, catalytic isomerization of cis-1,2-diols to trans-diequatorial-1,2-diols.
The method employs triphenylsilanethiol (Ph3SiSH) as a
catalyst and proceeds under mild conditions in the presence of a photoredox
catalyst and under blue light irradiation. The method is highly chemoselective,
broadly functional group tolerant and provides concise access to trans-diol products which are not readily obtained using
other methods. Mechanistic studies reveal that isomerization proceeds
through a reversible hydrogen atom transfer pathway mediated by the
silanethiol catalyst.
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