Lead(IV) acetate mediated cleavage of β-hydroxy ethers: enantioselective synthesis of α-acetoxy carbonyl compounds

α-Acetoxy aldehydes or α-acetoxy ketones can be efficiently synthesized by treating 2,3-epoxy primary alcohols with lead tetraacetate. The reaction, which proceeds with complete regio- and stereoselectivity facilitates the enantioselective synthesis of α-acetoxy carbonyl compounds from allyl alcohols, via Sharpless epoxidation. Cyclic β-hydroxy ethers, with an oxygenated five-, six- or seven-membered ring, are transformed into α-acetoxy ethers.