Methyltrioxorhenium-catalyzed epoxidation of alkenes with hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant and 1-methyl-3-(butyl-4-sulfonate) imidazolium betaine as an additive

In the methyltrioxorhenium-catalyzed epoxidation of alkenes, 1-methyl-3-(butyl-4-sulfonate) imidazolium betaine (MBSIB) was used as an additive, and 30% H2O2 was used as an oxidant. The introduction of 10-fold excess MBSIB improved the selectivity of epoxide formation without reducing the reaction rate by increasing the polarity of the catalytic system. Furthermore, the MTO–MBSIB system was stable throughout the entire catalytic run and increased the TON of the epoxidation of alkenes.

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► The introduction of MBSIB improved the selectivity in the MTO catalyzed epoxidation.
► The reaction rate does not decrease concomitantly.
► The catalytic system is stable in the catalytic runs and can increase the TON largely.