Synthesis and reaction of phthaloyl peroxide derivatives, potential organocatalysts for the stereospecific dihydroxylation of alkenes

To improve the synthesis and reactivity of phthaloyl peroxide derivatives a method has been developed using sodium percarbonate and phthaloyl chlorides. The reactions of the new phthaloyl peroxide derivatives with trans-stillbene as well as the improved reactivity of 3,4-dichlorophthaloyl peroxide with a variety of alkenes are reported.