A process for producing a 1,2-diol through the reaction of an olefin with
hydrogen peroxide. The process is highly efficient and highly selective
and catalyst recovery and reuse are easy. It does not use any strong acid
or strong base causative of apparatus corrosion. The process for
producing a 1,2-diol is characterized by reacting an olefin with hydrogen
peroxide in the presence of a polymer having a sulfo group.