Ruthenium-catalyzed oxidative cyclization of 1,7-dienes. A novel diasteroselective synthesis of 2,7-disubstituted trans-oxepane diols

The ruthenium-catalyzed oxidation of some representative 1,7-dienes has been investigated. Tetrasubstituted 1,7-dienes are transformed into the corresponding trans-2,7-bis-hydroxyalkyl-oxepanes through an oxidative cyclization process. The process proceeds with an excellent stereoselectivity level.