A novel strategy for clean and selective oxygenation of hydrocarbons with n-Bu4NHSO5 in neat water catalyzed by recyclable water-insoluble iron (III) tetraphenylporphyrins

A novel heterogeneous method for efficient oxygenation of olefins to epoxides and saturated hydrocarbons to the related ketones using tetrabutylammonium peroxomonosulfate (n-Bu4NHSO5) in neat water catalyzed by Fe(TPP)Cl and Fe(TDCPP)Cl complexes as water-insoluble catalysts has been developed. The oxidation system proceeds well in the absence of organic co-solvents and surfactants. The electron-deficient Fe(TDCPP)Cl catalyst could easily be recycled and reused without loss of activity and the oxidant's by-product (n-Bu4NHSO4) could also be recycled.

Graphical AbstractWater-insoluble Fe (III) tetraphenylporphyrins catalyzed efficient and selective epoxidation of olefins and oxygenation of saturated hydrocarbons with no need to organic co-solvents, surfactants and nitrogenous bases.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch Highlights
► Water-insoluble iron-porphyrins catalyze oxidation reaction in neat water.
► No need to organic co-solvents and surfactants was observed.
► The porphyrin catalysts can be easily recycled and reused without loss of activity.