Methods for asymmetric cis-dihydroxylation (AD) of styrenes and conjugated dienes to produce cis-diols of styrene and conjugated diene or tetraols of conjugated diene with high yield (i.e., a yield 30%) and high enantioselectivity (i.e., an enantiometric excess 60%) are disclosed. The method uses an iron-based catalyst, such as one or more Fe(II) complexes, as the catalyst. The method generally includes: (i) maintaining a reaction mixture at a temperature for a period of time sufficient to form a product, where the reaction mixture contains a styrene or conjugated diene, one or more iron-based catalyst(s), an oxidant, and a solvent, and where the product contains a cis-diol or tetraol.

Methods for asymmetric cis-dihydroxylation (AD) of styrenes and conjugated dienes to produce cis-diols of styrene and conjugated diene or tetraols of conjugated diene with high yield (i.e., a yield 30%) and high enantioselectivity (i.e., an enantiometric excess 60%) are disclosed. The method uses an iron-based catalyst, such as one or more Fe(II) complexes, as the catalyst. The method generally includes: (i) maintaining a reaction mixture at a temperature for a period of time sufficient to form a product, where the reaction mixture contains a styrene or conjugated diene, one or more iron-based catalyst(s), an oxidant, and a solvent, and where the product contains a cis-diol or tetraol.