Abstract
An operationally simple protocol for the conversion of geranyl acetate to 8-hydroxygeraniol is reported. The convenient two-step procedure relies on an efficient, chemo- and regioselective SeO2-promoted oxidation, followed by straightforward deacetylation. This facile means to prepare 8-hydroxygeraniol is expected to enable biosynthetic studies pertaining to thousands of monoterpene indole alkaloids.