cis-Dioxo-molybdenum(VI)-oxazoline complex catalyzed epoxidation of olefins by tert-butyl hydrogen peroxide

A new efficient catalytic system was investigated for the epoxidation of various olefins by cis-dioxo-bis[2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-oxazolinato]molybdenum(VI), cis-[MoO2(phox)2], and TBHP as oxidizing agent. Using this system as catalyst for the oxidation of aliphatic substrates at 80 °C gives the epoxide as the sole product with yields up to 100% and turnover frequency up to 5000 h−1. The efficiency of the catalyst is strongly influenced by the nature of solvent, reaction time and temperature, and a significant increase in the epoxide yields is observed in higher temperatures and longer reaction times.

Graphical abstractA new efficient catalytic system was investigated for the epoxidation of various olefins by cis-[MoO2(phox)2], and tert-butyl hydrogen peroxide (TBHP). The molybdenum(VI)-oxazoline complex is active as catalyst for the epoxidation of aliphatic substrates at 80 °C yielding epoxide as the sole product up to 100%.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide