A green epoxidation system with poly(4‐vinylpyridine) microsphere‐supported molybdenum catalyst

The immobilization of molybdenum (Mo) compounds on poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (P4VP) microspheres for catalytic epoxidation was reported. P4VP‐supported Mo compounds were highly efficient and selective for the epoxidation of cis‐cyclooctene using hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as oxygen source. When ethanol was used as solvents, outstanding catalytic activity and selectivity were observed for Mo‐containing catalysts in the epoxidation of cis‐cyclooctene. A completely green epoxidation system based on H₂O₂ and cleaner solvent has been achieved, and the heterogenized Mo catalyst can be recovered for five times without loss of its activity. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 558–562, 2010     

UV‐Assisted Removal of Inactive Peroxide Species for Sustained Epoxidation of Cyclooctene on Anatase TiO2

Epoxidation of olefins with H₂O₂ is one of the most important reactions in organic synthesis. We found that anatase TiO₂ can be a good catalyst for the epoxidation of cyclooctene with H₂O₂ at room temperature. However, the catalyst deactivated quickly in the presence of excess amount of H₂O₂ because of the formation of inactive side‐on Ti‐η²‐peroxide species on the surface of TiO₂, the presence of which was confirmed by isotope‐labelled resonance UV Raman spectroscopy and kinetics studies. Interestingly, the epoxidation reaction could be dramatically accelerated under irradiation of UV light with λ≥350 nm. This phenomenon is attributed to the photo‐assisted removal of the inactive peroxide species, through which the active sites on the surface of anatase TiO₂ are regenerated and the catalytic epoxidation of cyclooctene with H₂O₂ is resumed. This finding provides an alternative for sustained epoxidation reactions on TiO₂ at room temperature. Moreover, it also has significant implications on the deactivation pathway and possible solutions in Ti‐based heterogeneous catalysis or photocatalysis.     

Two hydrogen-bond-cross-linked molybdenum (VI) network polymers: synthesis, crystal structures and cyclooctene epoxidation with H2O2

Two molybdenum (VI) hydrogen-bonded network polymers [MoO₂F₄]·(4,4′-H₂bpd)(H₂O)₂ (1) and [MoO₂Cl₃(H₂O)]·(4,4′-H₂bpd)Cl (2) (bpd = bipiperidine) have been synthesized and examined as catalysts for epoxidation of cyclooctene. Complexes of the Mo compounds containing the bpd ligand are prepared and characterized by infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric and elemental analyses. They have been structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The structures of both the complexes are shown to be comprised of molybdenum and two protonated N-ligand cations that have resulted in a cross-linked hydrogen-bonded network structure. These complexes are applicable as catalysts for the cis-cyclooctene epoxidation reactions with hydrogen peroxide as a source of oxygen and NaHCO₃ as a cocatalyst. It has been observed that the formation of the oxidant peroxymonocarbonate ion, HCO₄ ⁻ by hydrogen peroxide and bicarbonate enhances the epoxidation reaction. Both the complexes have exhibited a good activity and a very high selectivity for the formation of cyclooctene oxide. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Covalent supporting of novel dioxo‐molybdenum tetradentate pyrrole‐imine complex on Fe3O4 as high‐efficiency nanocatalyst for selective epoxidation of olefins

A novel Mo(VI) tetradentate Schiff base complex based on two pyrrole‐imine donors was anchored covalently on Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and characterized using physicochemical techniques. The catalytic epoxidation process was optimized in terms of the effects of solvent, reaction temperature, kind of oxidant and amount of oxidant and catalyst. Then the novel heterogeneous nanocatalyst was used for the efficient and selective catalytic epoxidation of internal alkenes (cyclohexene, cyclooctene, α‐pinene, indene and trans ‐1,2‐diphenylethene) and terminal alkenes (n ‐heptene, n ‐octene, n ‐dodecene and styrene) using tert ‐butyl hydroperoxide (70% in water) as oxidant in 1,2‐dichloroethane as solvent. The prepared nanocatalyst is very effective for the selective epoxidation of cis ‐cyclooctene with 100% conversion, 100% selectivity and turnover frequency of 1098 h⁻¹ in just 30 min. The magnetic nanocatalyst was easily recovered using an external magnetic field and was used subsequently at least six times without significant decrease in conversion.     

Syntheses of manganese and iron tetraspirobifluorene porphyrins as new catalysts for oxidation of alkenes by hydrogen peroxide and iodosylbenzene

The condensation of pyrrole with 9,9′-spirobifluorene aldehyde yields new the 5,10,15,20-tetra(spirobifluorene) porphyrins; epoxidation of cyclooctene and styrene derivatives catalyzed by the manganese and iron complexes is reported using H₂O₂ and PhIO as oxygen atom donors.     

Synthesis and catalytic activity of binuclear Mn(III,III)–BINOL complexes for epoxidation of olefins

The novel binuclear complexes [Mn₂^{(III, III)}(BINOL)₃L₂]2H₂O, where, L = 2, 2′‐bipyridine (Bpy) or 1,10‐phenanthroline (Phen) and BINOL = 1, 1′‐bi‐2‐naphthol were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility and various spectral methods. The catalytic activity of these complexes was studied for the epoxidation reaction of unfunctionalized olefins like styrene, 1‐hexene, 1‐octene and 1‐decene. The products thus obtained were analyzed by GC. The epoxidation reactions were carried out, in the presence of catalyst with different oxidants, to study the effect of the nature of the oxidant on the reactions. The different oxidants used were the peroxide oxygen donor (e.g. TBHP and H₂O₂), mono oxygen donor (e.g. PhIO) and dioxygen donor (e.g. molecular O₂). TBHP was found to be the best oxidant for the epoxidation reaction. To study the effect of the solvent on the epoxidation, the reactions were carried out in different media, such as a polar media (e.g. with CH₃OH as solvent), non‐polar media (e.g. with CH₂Cl₂ and C₆H₆ as solvents) and coordinating solvent (e.g. CH₃CN). The maximum epoxide formation was observed in CH₂Cl₂ medium. The epoxidation reactions with optically active BINOL catalysts under optimum established conditions were carried out to examine the enantioselectivity of the catalysts. The complexes were, however, found not to be enantioselective. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nitrile-Promoted Alkene Epoxidation with Urea–Hydrogen Peroxide (UHP)

An efficient method for alkene epoxidation has been studied systematically using benzonitrile and the complex urea–hydrogen peroxide (UHP), which is an anhydrous form of hydrogen peroxide and has the potential to release hydrogen peroxide in a controlled manner and thus avoid the need to slowly add aqueous H₂O₂ to the reaction mixture. The absence of water in the reaction media was also beneficial, because it minimized undesired reactions of the oxidized products. A range of alkenes was epoxidized by this method, providing yields ranging from 79% to 96%.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Synthetic Communications® to view the free supplemental file.     

Boehmite nano‐particles functionalized with silylpropylamine‐supported Keggin‐type heteropolyacids: Catalysts for epoxidation of alkenes

Boehmite nano‐particles with a high degree of surface hydroxyl groups were covalently functionalized by 3‐(trimethoxysilyl)‐propylamine to support H₃[PMo₁₂O₄₀], H₃[PW₁₂O₄₀], H₄[SiMo₁₂O₄₀] and H₄[SiW₁₂O₄₀] Keggin‐type heteropolyacids. After characterization of these catalysts by FT‐IR, powder X‐ray diffraction, TG/differential thermal analysis, CHN, inductively coupled plasma and transmission electron microscopy techniques, they were applied to the epoxidation of cis‐cycloocten. The progress of the reactions was investigated by gas–liquid chromatography, and the catalytic procedures were optimized for the parameters involved, such as the solvent and oxidant. The results showed that 25 mg of supported H₃[PMo₁₂O₄₀] catalyst in 1 ml C₂H₄Cl₂ with 0.5 mmol cyclooctene and 1 mmol tert‐butylhydroperoxide at reflux temperature gave 98% yield over 15 min. Recycling experiments revealed that these nanocatalysts could be repeatedly applied up to five times for a nearly complete epoxidation of cis‐cycloocten. The optimized experimental conditions were also used successfully for the epoxidation of some other alkenes, such as cyclohexene, styrene and α‐methyl styrene.     

Experimental Design for Modeling and Multi‐response Optimization of Catalytic Cyclohexene Epoxidation over Polyoxometalates

An experimental design methodology was applied to optimize cyclohexene epoxidation with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of acid‐activated montmorillonite clay supported on 11‐molybdovanado‐phosphoric acid, with the Keggin structure H₄[PVMo₁₁O₄₀] · 13H₂O (PVMo) as catalyst. The statistical study of the process was achieved through a two‐level, full‐factorial experimental design with five process parameters. The significant input variables (key factors) that influenced the performance of cyclohexene oxidation are the catalyst weight, catalyst loading, temperature, H₂O₂ concentration, and the reaction time. The effect of the individual parameters and their interaction effects on the cyclohexene conversion, as well as the selectivity of cyclohexane‐1,2‐diol, was determined, and a statistical model of the process was developed. The process was optimized by considering the two responses simultaneously, which allows defining the optimal regions for the significant process variables. The optimal conditions were obtained for the catalyst weight of 0.05 g, temperature of 70°C, and reaction time of 9 h, with 20% PVMo as the active phase and hydrogen peroxide as oxidant.     

Development of a General and Efficient Iron‐Catalyzed Epoxidation with Hydrogen Peroxide as Oxidant

The development of inexpensive and practical iron catalysts for the environmentally benign epoxidation of olefins with hydrogen peroxide as terminal oxidant is described. By systematic variation of ligands, metal sources, and reaction conditions, it was discovered that FeCl₃?6H₂O in combination with pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylic acid and different amines shows high reactivity and excellent selectivity towards the epoxidation of aromatic olefins and moderate reactivity towards that of aliphatic olefins.     

Facile fabrication of magnetic MoO2–Salen‐modified graphene‐based catalyst for epoxidation of alkenes

A facile, green and efficient method for the immobilization of MoO₂–Salen onto graphene hybridized with glucose‐coated magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles is proposed to fabricate a magnetic organic–inorganic hybrid heterogeneous RGO/Fe₃O₄@C‐Salen‐MoO₂ catalyst for the epoxidation of cyclooctene and geraniol using tert ‐butyl hydroperoxide or H₂O₂ as oxidant. Carbon‐coated Fe₃O₄ can improve the stability and add functional ─OH groups on the surface of Fe₃O₄. The fabricated composite exhibited good performance due to good dispersion of MoO₂–Salen active sites. The catalyst can be easily separated from the reaction system using a permanent magnet and used three times without significantly losing its catalytic activity and selectivity.     

Asymmetric Mn(III)-salen catalyzed epoxidation of unfunctionalized alkenes with in situ generated peroxycarboxylic acids

Unfunctionalized aromatic alkenes were enantioselectively epoxidized with peroxycarboxylic acids prepared in situ from urea-H₂O₂ (and other anhydrous adducts of H₂O₂) and carboxylic acid anhydrides (maleic, phthalic, and acetic anhydride) using chiral Mn(III)-salen complexes as catalysts and N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMO) as an additive. Experimental results were compared with those reported earlier that employed aqueous hydrogen peroxide as the primary oxidant and the method presented here was found to offer both higher enantioselectivities and shorter reaction times. This novel epoxidation system was also compared with the Jacobsen’s MCPBA/NMO system, and some differences in reactivity and selectivity were observed. These differences could possibly be explained assuming the presence of alternative mechanistic pathways during the catalytic cycle of the asymmetric epoxidation.     

Heterogeneous Green Catalyst for Oxidation of Cyclohexene and Cyclooctene with Hydrogen Peroxide in the Presence of Host (Nanocavity of Y‐zeolite)/Guest (N4‐Cu(II) Schiff Base Complex) Nanocomposite Material

Copper(II) complex of a Schiff base ligand derived from pyrrolcarbaldehyde and o‐phenylenediamine (H₂L) has been synthesized and encapsulated in Y‐zeolite matrix. The hybrid material has been characterized by elemental analysis, IR and UV‐Vis spectroscopic studies as well as X‐ray diffraction (XRD) pattern. The encapsulated copper(II) catalyst is an active catalyst for the oxidation of cyclooctene and cyclohexene using H₂O₂ as oxidant. Under the optimized reaction conditions 81% conversion of cyclohexene with 65% selectivity for 2‐cyclohexenone formation and 87% conversion of cyclooctene with 46% selectivity for epoxide formation were obtained.     

Soft,Oxidative Stripping of Alkyl Thiolate Ligands from Hydroxyapatite‐Supported Gold Nanoclusters for Oxidation Reactions

A strategy for the mild deprotection of alkyl‐thiolated (6‐mercaptohexanoic acid, MHA, and 3‐mercaptopropanoic acid, MPA) gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) supported on hydroxyapatite (HAP) has been developed by employing a peroxide (tert‐butyl hydroperoxide, TBHP, or hydrogen peroxide, H₂O₂) as an oxidant. The thiol ligands on the supported Au NCs were removed after oxidation, and the size and integrity of the supported clusters were well‐preserved. The bare gold clusters on HAP after removal of the ligands were catalytically effective for the epoxidation of styrene and the aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol. These two reactions were also investigated on calcined Au NCs that were supported on HAP for comparison, and the resulting Au NCs that were prepared by using this new strategy showed superior catalytic activity.     

Zirconium oxide complex‐functionalized MCM‐41 nanostructure: an efficient and reusable mesoporous catalyst for oxidation of sulfides and oxidative coupling of thiols using hydrogen peroxide

Zirconium oxide complex‐functionalized mesoporous MCM‐41 (Zr‐oxide@MCM‐41) as an efficient and reusable catalyst is reported for the oxidation of sulfides into sulfoxides using hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as the oxidant, with short reaction times in good to excellent yields at room temperature under solvent‐free conditions. Also, a simple and efficient method is reported for the oxidative coupling of thiols into corresponding disulfides in good to high yields using H₂O₂ as oxidant in the presence of Zr‐oxide@MCM‐41 as recoverable catalyst in ethanol at room temperature. A series of sulfides and thiols possessing functional groups was successfully converted into corresponding products. After completion of reactions the catalyst was easily separated with simple filtration from the reaction mixture and reused for several consecutive runs without significant loss of catalytic efficiency. The mesoporous catalyst was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area measurements, X‐ray diffraction, transmission and scanning electron microscopies, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Unexpected Role of SeVI Species in Epoxidations with Benzeneseleninic Acid and Hydrogen Peroxide

Benzeneperoxyseleninic acid has been proposed as the key intermediate in the widely used epoxidation of alkenes with benzeneseleninic acid and hydrogen peroxide. However, it reacts sluggishly with cyclooctene and instead rapidly decomposes in solution to a mixed selenonium–selenonate salt that was identified by X‐ray absorption and ⁷⁷Se NMR spectroscopy, as well as by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. This process includes a selenoxide elimination of the peroxyseleninic acid with liberation of oxygen and additional redox steps. The salt is relatively stable in the solid state, but generates the corresponding selenonic acid in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The selenonic acid is inert towards cyclooctene on its own; however, rapid epoxidation occurs when hydrogen peroxide is added. This shows that the selenonic acid must first be activated through further oxidation, presumably to the heretofore unknown benzeneperoxyselenonic acid. The latter is the principal oxidant in this epoxidation.     

Kinetics and mechanisms of decomposition reaction of hydrogen peroxide in presence of metal complexes

Hydrogen peroxide was discovered in 1818 and has been used in bleaching for over a century [ 1 ]. H₂O₂ on its own is a relatively weak oxidant under mild conditions: It can achieve some oxidations unaided, but for the majority of applications it requires activation in one way or another. Some activation methods, e.g., Fenton's reagent, are almost as old [ 2 ]. However, by far the bulk of useful chemistry has been discovered in the last 50 years, and many catalytic methods are much more recent. Although the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide is often employed as a standard reaction to determine the catalytic activity of metal complexes and metal oxides [ 3 , 4 ], it has recently been extensively used in intrinsically clean processes and in end‐of‐pipe treatment of effluent of chemical industries [ 5 , 6 ]. Furthermore, the adoption of H₂O₂ as an alternative of current industrial oxidation processes offer environmental advantages, some of which are (1) replacement of stoichiometric metal oxidants, (2) replacement of halogens, (3) replacement or reduction of solvent usage, and (4) avoidance of salt by‐products. On the other hand, wasteful decomposition of hydrogen peroxide due to trace transition metals in wash water in the fabric bleach industry, was also recognized [ 7 ]. The low intrinsic reactivity of H₂O₂ is actually an advantage, in that a method can be chosen which selectively activates it to perform a given oxidation. There are three main active oxidants derived from hydrogen peroxide, depending on the nature of the activator; they are (1) inorganic oxidant systems, (2) active oxygen species, and (3) per oxygen intermediates. Two general types of mechanisms have been postulated for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of transition metal complexes. The first is the radical mechanism (outer sphere), which was proposed by Haber and Weiss for the Fe(III)‐H₂O₂ system [ 8 ]. The key features of this mechanism were the discrete formation of hydroxyl and hydroperoxy radicals, which can form a redox cycle with the Fe(II)/Fe(III) couple. The second is the peroxide complex mechanism, which was proposed by Kremer and Stein [ 9 ]. The significant difference in the peroxide complex mechanism is the two‐electron oxidation of Fe(III) to Fe(V) with the resulting breaking of the peroxide oxygen‐oxygen bond. It is our intention in this article to briefly summarize the kinetics as well as the mechanisms of the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, homogeneously and heterogeneously, in the presence of transition metal complexes. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 32: 643–666, 2000     

Preparation and characterization of Fe3O4@Boehmite core‐shell nanoparticles to support molybdenum or vanadium complexes for catalytic epoxidation of alkenes

Fe₃O₄ core nanoparticles were prepared via a solvothermal process, and then they were covered with a surface hydroxyl‐rich boehmite shell via the hydrothermal‐assisted sol–gel processing of aluminum 2‐propoxide. The outer surface of the boehmite shell was subsequently covalently functionalized with 3‐(tri‐methoxysilyl)‐propylamine or 3‐(tri‐methoxysilyl)‐propyl chloride, and the terminal chlorine groups were treated with imidazole. These compounds were used to support the hexa‐carbonyl molybdenum and oxo‐sulfato vanadium (IV) complexes. The supported catalysts were characterized by the FT‐IR, CHN, ICP, and TEM analysis techniques. They were then used in the epoxidation of cis‐cyclooctene. The catalytic procedures were optimized for different parameters such as the solvent, oxidant, and temperature. The reaction progress was investigated by the gas–liquid chromatography analysis. The catalysts used were simply recovered from the solution by applying a magnet, and recycling the experiments revealed that the heterogeneous nanocatalysts could be repeatedly used for the epoxidation of cis‐cyclooctene. The optimized conditions were also successfully used for the epoxidation of some other alkenes.     

Dioxomolybdenum(VI) complex covalently attached to amino‐modified graphene oxide: heterogeneous catalyst for the epoxidation of alkenes

Transition metal salen complex MoO₂–salen was successfully tethered onto amino‐functionalized graphene oxide (designated as MoO₂–salen–GO), which was tested in the epoxidation of various alkenes using tert‐butylhydroperoxide or H₂O₂ as oxidant. Characterization results showed that dioxomolybdenum(VI) complex was successfully grafted onto the amino‐functionalized graphene oxide and the structure of the graphene oxide was well preserved after several stepwise synthesis procedures. Catalytic tests showed that heterogeneous catalyst MoO₂–salen–GO was more active than its homogeneous analogue MoO₂–salen in the epoxidation of cyclooctene due to site isolation. In addition, the MoO₂–salen–GO catalyst could be reused three times without significant loss of activity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Excellent alkene epoxidation catalytic activity of macrocyclic‐based complex of dioxo‐Mo(VI) on supermagnetic separable nanocatalyst

A phenoxybutane‐based Schiff base complex of cis‐dioxo‐Mo(VI) was supported on paramagnetic nanoparticles and characterized using powder X‐ray diffraction, infrared, diffuse reflectance and atomic absorption spectroscopies, scanning and transmission electron microscopies and vibrating sample magnetometry. The separable nanocatalyst was tested for the selective epoxidation of cyclohexene, cyclooctene, styrene, indene, α‐pinene, 1‐octene, 1‐heptene, 1‐dodecene and trans‐stilbene using tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (80% in di‐tert‐butyl peroxide–water, 3:2) as oxidant in chloroform. The catalyst was efficient for oxidation of cyclooctene with 100% selectivity for epoxidation with 98% conversion in 10 min. We were able to separate magnetically the nanocatalyst using an external magnetic field and used the catalyst at least six successive times without significant decrease in conversion. The turnover frequency of the catalyst was remarkable (2556 h^?1 for cyclooctene). The proposed nanomagnetic catalyst has advantages in terms of catalytic activity, selectivity, catalytic reaction time and reusability by easy separation.