Preparation of high purity 1,2-diols by catalytic oxidation of linear terminal alkenes with H2O2 in the presence of carboxylic acids under solvent-free conditions

The oxidation of terminal alkenes was smoothly catalyzed by a recyclable and environmentally friendly catalytic system: [(C18H37)2N(CH3)2]3[PW4O16]/H2O2/formic acid. This new catalytic system is not only capable of catalyzing oxidation of terminal alkenes with a phase-transfer character, but also under solvent-free conditions, avoiding the use of chlorinated solvents. Many different kinds of terminal alkenes could be converted to the corresponding 1,2-diols of high purity in high yields. The catalyst could be easily separated and reused after reaction. Both fresh and used [(C18H37)2N(CH3)2]3[PW4O16] catalyst was characterized by Raman and FTIR.

Graphical abstractThe oxidation of terminal alkenes was smoothly catalyzed by a recyclable and environmentally friendly catalytic system: [(C18H37)2N(CH3)2]3[PW4O16]/H2O2/formic acid. Many different kinds of terminal alkenes could be converted to the corresponding 1,2-diols of high purity in high yields.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide