Coordination chemistry thumb|144px|left|Structure of OsO3(N-t-Bu) (multiple bonds are not drawn explicitly), illustrating the type of osmium(VIII)-oxo-imide that adds alkenes en route to the amino alcohol.OsO4 is a Lewis acid and a mild oxidant. It reacts with alkaline aqueous solution to give the perosmate anion . This species is easily reduced to osmate anion, .
CoorDination chEmIsTrY thUmb|144px|leFT|strucTure of oso3(N-t-bU) (multIpLE bOnDS arE noT Drawn eXPLicItlY), IllUsTraTing thE Type oF oSmIum(viiI)-Oxo-imiDe that ADdS ALkeneS en Route To tHe AmiNo aLcohOl.oso4 is A leWiS aCid And A mIlD OxidAnt. it ReACts With alkaLinE AQuEous soLutiOn To givE thE peroSMAte anioN . ThIS spEcieS iS EasILy rEDUcEd to osmatE Anion, .