Osmium(VIII) oxide is widely used as an oxidant in organic synthesis to oxidize alkenes to vicinal diols as well as in the sharpless oxyamination to give vicinal amino-alcohols. It is involved in the oxidative cleavage of alkenes (Lemieux-Johnson oxidation) in association with sodium periodate. It finds application in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) as a staining agent. It is involved in the promotion of oxidative cleavage of graphene layers in carbon nanotubes and as an intermediate in osmium ore refining. As a lipid stain, it is useful in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as an alternative to sputter coating.

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