Microwave‐Assisted Epoxidation of Simple Alkenes in the Presence of Hydrogen Peroxide

2,2,2-Trifluoroacetophenone: an organocatalyst for an environmentally friendly epoxidation of alkenes

A cheap, mild, fast, and environmentally friendly oxidation of olefins to the corresponding epoxides is reported using polyfluoroalkyl ketones as efficient organocatalysts. Namely, 2,2,2-trifluoroacetophenone was identified as an improved organocatalyst for the epoxidation of alkenes. Various olefins, mono-, di-, and trisubstituted, are epoxidized chemoselectively in high to quantitative yields utilizing 2-5 mol % catalyst loading and H2O2 as the green oxidant.

Synthesis of Epoxides Catalyzed by a Halide-Free Reaction-Controlled Phase-Transfer Catalytic System: [(CH3(CH2)17)2N(CH3)2]3[PW4O32]/H2O2/Dioxan/Olefin

The epoxidation of alkenes was successfully catalyzed by a recyclable catalytic system: [(CH3(CH2)17)2N(CH3)2]3[PW4O32]/H2O2/dioxan/olefin. This new catalytic system is not only capable of catalyzing homogeneous epoxidation of alkenes with a unique reaction-controlled phase-transfer character, but also avoids the use of chlorinated solvents. The reactions were conducted in a biphasic mixture of aqueous H2O2/dioxan, and many kinds of alkenes could be efficiently converted to the corresponding epoxides in high yields. Both new and used [(CH3(CH2)17)2N(CH3)2]3[PW4O32] catalyst was characterized by 31P magic angle spin NMR, and IR.