Selective epoxidation of unsaturated fatty esters over peroxophosphotungstic catalysts (POW) under solvent free conditions: Study of the POW catalyst's mechanism

Methyl oleate epoxidation with a peroxophosphotungstate (POW) catalyst was performed under solvent free conditions. After underlying a synergistic effect of hydrogen peroxide and the dioxygen flow to obtain a total epoxide yield, new investigations were realized to understand this effect. The POW catalyst mechanism was studied using labeled oxygen flow and radical traps. We concluded that the reaction occurs in two parallel ways, a major one thanks to a concerted mechanism and a minor radicalar one leading to the formation of methyl stearate alcohol and diol intermediates. Oxygen flow is only necessary to perform the radicalar way.