Stereoinversion of Stereocongested Carbocyclic Alcohols via Triflylation and Subsequent Treatment with Aqueous N,N-Dimethylformamide.

A convenient method for the stereoinversion of secondary alcohols, applicable to stereocongested carbocyclic substrates, is reported. A simple three-step procedure, including triflylation of the hydroxy group, nucleophilic oxygenative displacement by the treatment with aqueous N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), and methanolysis, allowed for efficient stereoinversion of various substrates, including sugar derivatives, in one pot.