The oxidation of olefins by t-butyl hydrogen peroxide to prepare 1,2-diols over metal oxide catalysts

Trans-1,2-cyclohexanediol was synthesized from the oxidation of cyclohexene. The t-butyl hydrogen peroxide (TBHP) was used as oxidant. High cyclohexene conversion (93%) with high 1,2-cyclohexanediol selectivity (98.2%) was obtained over MoO3. Among the tested metal oxide catalysts MoO3, VO5, Nb2O5, Cr2O3, and WO3, MoO3 was found to be the most active catalyst for the oxidation of cyclo-olefins to prepare 1,2-diols. Except cyclohexene oxidation, MoO3 was also found to be active for the oxidation of other cyclo-olefins.