Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of ketones catalysed by rhenium complexes bearing N- or oxo-ligands

Rhenium (I, III–V or VII) complexes bearing N-donor or oxo-ligands catalyse the Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of cyclic and linear ketones (e.g. 2-methylcyclohexanone, 2-methylcyclopentanone, cyclohexanone, cyclopentanone, cyclobutanone and 3,3-dimethyl-2-butanone) into the corresponding lactones or esters, in the presence of aqueous H2O2 (30%). The effects of various reaction parameters are studied allowing to achieve yields up to 54%.

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► Re complexes catalyse the BV oxidation of cyclic and linear ketones with good conversions.
► Re catalysts are more active for the oxidation of cyclic than acyclic ketones.
► The highest activity occurs in 1,2-dichloroethane.
► The most active Re catalysts can operate in water as the only solvent.