1,2-Pentanediol (1,2-PeD) is a valuable chemical used as a monomer in the production of polyesters(8) and an intermediate in the synthesis of fungicides(9) and is also a component of disinfectants, printing inks,(10) and cosmetics.(11) Conventional processes for the production of 1,2-PeD rely on petroleum resources and require multistep reactions, an example being the oxidation of 1-pentene to 1,2-epoxypentene and the subsequent hydrolysis to afford 1,2- ...