Synthesis of ß-acetoxy alcohols by PhI(OAc)2-mediated metal-free diastereoselective ß-acetoxylation of alcohols.

ß-Acetoxy alcohols can be synthesized in good yields with excellent diastereoselectivity from tertiary alcohols through PhI(OAc)2-mediated metal-free ß-acetoxylation. Mechanistic studies showed that the ß-acetoxylation process might undergo dehydration and sequential highly regioselective and diastereoseletive dioxygenation. Gram scale and diverse useful scaffolds could be prepared via this ß-acetoxylation process.