Nanosized cationic and anionic manganese porphyrins as mesoporous catalysts for the oxidation of olefins: Nano versus bulk aggregates

In this study, catalytic activity of bulk and nano‐sized meso‐tetrakis(4‐sulfonatophenyl)porphyrinatomanganese(III) acetate, MnTPPS₄(OAc), (ammonium salt) and meso‐tetrakis(3‐methylpyridyl)porphyrinatomanganese(III) acetate, MnT(3‐MePy)P(OAc) (tosylate salt) for the oxidation of olefins with tetra‐n‐butylammonium Oxone has been studied and compared with that of the bulk counterparts. The nanoparticles were prepared by mixing solvent techniques using water, (triethyleneglycol) monomethyl ether and dimethylsulfoxide or acetonitrile. The formation of nano‐sized catalysts was confirmed by UV‐Vis spectroscopy, DLS and AFM. Nitrogen porosimetry measurements indicated the homogeneous pore size distribution in the bulk and nano‐sized manganese porphyrins. In spite of the high oxidizability of Oxone, the heterogenized manganese porphyrins showed a significantly higher oxidative stability relative to their homogeneous counterparts within a reaction time of 6 h. The increase in the catalytic activity induced by the formation of nano‐sized catalysts was more pronounced in the case of MnT(3‐MePy)P(OAc). MnT(3‐MePy)P(OAc) may be recovered and reused for at least 4 times without any significant decrease in the catalyst efficiency. In the case of MnTPPS₄(OAc) a large decrease in the catalytic activity was observed after the first use of the catalyst. The latter was attributed to higher degrees of catalyst degradation in the case of MnTPPS₄(OAc).     

Preparation of heterogeneous cationic metalloporphyrin/heteropolyanion composite catalysts and their high catalytic activity in hydroxylation of cyclohexane with molecular oxygen

A new route to improve the metalloporphyrin catalysts is developed, and it is to constitute heterogeneous composite catalysts with immobilized cationic metalloporphyrins and heteropolyanions. By using the method of synchronously synthesizing and immobilizing porphyrins on cross-linked polystyrene microspheres (CPS microspheres), the immobilized porphyrin TAPP-CPS microspheres, on which ternary amine (TA) group-containing phenyl porphyrin (PP) was immobilized, were first prepared, and then the immobilized cationic porphyrin TMPP-CPS microspheres, in whose structure trimethylammoniophenyl porphyrin (TMPP) was contained, were obtained via quaternization reaction. Finally, three immobilized metalloporphyrins, CoTMPP-CPS (shorten as CoP-CPS), MnTMPP-CPS (MnP-CPS) and FeTMPP-CPS (FeP-CPS), were gained through coordination reactions. These immobilized metalloporphyrins were composited with heteropolyanions by right of the mutual electrostatic interaction with phosphotungstic (PW) acid and phosphomolybdic (PMo) acid as reagents, respectively, resulting in several heterogeneous metalloporphyrin/heteropolyanion composite catalysts such as CoPPW-CPS, CoPPMo-CPS and MnPPW-CPS. The composite catalysts were used in the catalytic hydroxylation reaction of cyclohexane with molecular oxygen as oxidant, and their catalytic performances were investigated. The experimental results show that the heterogeneous composite catalysts have extraordinarily high catalytic activity in the hydroxylation reaction of cyclohexane by molecular oxygen, and the cyclohexanol yield in 8 h can get up to 45.5 %. More importantly, the catalytic activity of the heterogeneous composite catalysts is obviously higher than that of the immobilized cationic metalloporphyrins, and the enhanced catalytic activity is originated from a protection of heteropolyanions against the deactivation of metalloporphyrins.     

Oxidative degradation of porphyrins and metalloporphyrins under polythermal conditions

Influence of structure on the thermal properties of a large group of natural and synthetic porphyrins (H₂P) and metalloporphyrins (MP) was analyzed on the ground of thermogravimetric studies. The initial stage of thermal degradation of “classical” porphyrin containing a flat or pseudo-planar macrocycle is a result of oxidative degradation of the macrocyclic structure with the formation of linear tetrapyrrols. The negative effect on the thermal stability of porphyrins exerts the violation of the planar structure of the macrocycle, and the presence of bulky alkyl and polar pseudoalkyl substituents. In many cases, the general trend in the decrease in the stability of metalloporphyrins (MP) in comparison with the corresponding H₂P is a consequence of intramolecular metal ↔ ligand redox processes.     

Biomimetic Decarboxylation of Carboxylic Acids with PhI（OAc）2 Catalyzed by Manganese Porphyrin [Mn（TPP）OAc]

Manganese（Ⅲ） meso-tetraphenylporphyrin acetate [Mn（TPP）OAc] served as an effective catalyst for the oxidative decarboxylation of carboxylic acids with （diacetoxyiodo）benzene [PhI（OAc）2] in CH2CI2-H2O（95：5, volume ratio）. The aryl substituted acetic acids are more reactive than the less electron rich linear carboxylic acids in the presence of catalyst Mn（TPP）OAc. In the former case, the formation of carbonyl products was complete within just a few minutes with 〉97% selectivities, and no further oxidation of the produced aldehydes was achieved under these catalytic conditions. This method provides a benign procedure owing to the utilization of low toxic（diacetoxyiodo） benzene, biologically relevant manganese porphyrins, and carboxylic acids.     

Metalloporphyrins‐Al3+ porous coordination polymers: Preparations,Characterizations and Catalytic Properties

In this work, metalloporphyrins‐based MOGs were synthesized as precursor to prepare porous coordination polymers (PCPs). Firstly, the carboxyl metalloporphyrins MCPp (M = Zn (II), Co (II), Cu (II), Mn (III)OAc; CPp = 5,10,15,20‐tetra(4‐(3‐carboxy)phenoxy)phenylporphyrin) were synthesized as gelator. Then, the metalloporphyrin‐based MOGs were prepared with MCPp and Al(NO₃)₃·9H₂O by sol–gel method. Moreover, the residual reactants and solvent molecules in MOGs were removed by Soxhlet extraction and supercritical CO₂ extraction to get the finial porous coordination polymers. This methodology effectually avoids the collapse of frame construction. Compared with the reference material prepared by the oven‐dry method, these PCPs exhibit much higher BET surface ranging from 398 to 439 m² g^?1. The PCPs were carefully characterized by FT‐IR, UV–vis, SEM, TEM and PXRD, and exhibit excellent catalytic activities and stabilities for the oxidation of ethylbenzene.     

Enhanced Catalytic Activity and Unexpected Products from the Oxidation of Cyclohexene by Organic Nanoparticles of 5,10,15,20‐Tetrakis‐(2,3,4,5,6‐pentafluorophenyl)porphyrinatoiron(III) in Water by Using O2

The catalytic oxidation of alkenes by most iron porphyrins using a variety of oxygen sources, but generally not dioxygen, yields the epoxide with minor quantities of other products. The turnover numbers for these catalysts are modest, ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand depending on the porphyrin structure, axial ligands, and other reaction conditions. Halogenation of substituents increases the activity of the metalloporphyrin catalyst and/or makes it more robust to oxidative degradation. Oxidation of cyclohexene by 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis‐(2,3,4,5,6‐pentafluorophenyl)porphyrinato iron(III), ([Fe^III(tppf₂₀)]) and H₂O₂ is typical of the latter: the epoxide is 99 % of the product and turnover numbers are about 350. 1 – 4 Herein, we report that dynamic organic nanoparticles (ONPs) of [Fe^III(tppf₂₀)] with a diameter of 10 nm, formed by host–guest solvent methods, catalytically oxidize cyclohexene with O₂ to yield only 2‐cyclohexene‐1‐one and 2‐cyclohexene‐1‐ol with approximately 10‐fold greater turnover numbers compared to the non‐aggregated metalloporphyrin in acetonitrile/methanol. These ONPs facilitate a greener reaction because the reaction solvent is 89 % water and O₂ is the oxidant in place of synthetic oxygen sources. This reactivity is unexpected because the metalloporphyrins are in close proximity and oxidative degradation of the catalyst should be enhanced, thus causing a significant decrease in catalytic turnovers. The allylic products suggest a different oxidative mechanism compared to that of the solvated metalloporphyrins. These results illustrate the unique properties of some ONPs relative to the component molecules or those attached to supports.     

Detection and quantitative estimation of metalloporphyrins in vivo

Spectrofluorometry, radioisotope (RI) labelling and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) can be used to estimate photosensitizer concentrations. The biodistribution of porphyrins and metalloporphyrins containing the bifunctional chelating agent diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) was examined in tumour-bearing mice by nitrogen-pulsed laser spectrofluorometry (PLS) and RI labelling. The biodistribution of metalloporphyrin amino acid derivatives containing alkoxyl groups was also examined by PLS and HPLC analysis using an acetone powder extraction method. Spectrofluorometry is useful for estimating the biodistribution of porphyrins in tumour, lung, kidney and serum, but not in liver. However, spectrofluorometry cannot be used to evaluate the concentration of certain metalloporphyrins such as manganese complexes. The concentrations of porphyrins in liver measured by PLS and two other methods showed remarkable differences. RI labelling and HPLC analysis are obviously tedious methods. Therefore it seems practical to screen for a number of compounds using the spectrofluorometric method (PLS). Subsequently, the porphyrins which give good results with PLS should be measured using RI labelling and HPLC.     

Axial base‐controlled catalytic activity,oxidative stability and product selectivity of water‐insoluble manganese and iron porphyrins for oxidation of styrenes in water under green conditions

A series of water‐insoluble iron(III) and manganese(III) porphyrins, FeT(2‐CH₃)PPCl, FeT(4‐OCH₃)PPCl, FeT(2‐Cl)PPCl, FeTPPCl, MnT(2‐CH₃)PPOAc, MnT(4‐OCH₃)PPOAc, MnT(2‐Cl)PPOAc and MnTPPOAc, in the presence of imidazole (ImH), F^?, Cl^?, Br^? and acetate were used as catalysts for the aqueous‐phase heterogeneous oxidation of styrenes to the corresponding epoxides and aldehydes with sodium periodate. Also, the effect of various reaction parameters such as reaction time, molar ratio of catalyst to axial base, type of axial base, molar ratio of olefin to oxidant and nature of metal centre on the activity and oxidative stability of the catalysts and the product selectivity was investigated. Higher catalytic activities were found for the iron complexes. Interestingly, the selectivity towards the formation of epoxide and aldehyde (or acetophenone) was significantly influenced by the type of axial base. Furthermore, Br^? and ImH were found to be the most efficient co‐catalysts for the oxidation of olefins performed in the presence of the manganese and iron porphyrins, respectively. The optimized molar ratio of catalyst to axial base was different for various axial bases. Also, the order of co‐catalyst activity of the axial bases obtained in aqueous medium was different from that reported for organic solvents. The use of a convenient axial base under optimum reaction catalyst to co‐catalyst molar ratio in the presence of the manganese porphyrin gave the oxidative products with a conversion of ca 100% in a reaction time of less than 3 h. However, the catalytic activity of the iron porphyrins could not be effectively improved by increasing the catalyst to co‐catalyst molar ratio.     

Substitution effects on the catalytic activity of Mn(III)-porphyrins in epoxidation of alkenes with iodosylbenzene: A comparison between the electron-rich and electron-deficient porphyrins

Oxidation of different olefins with iodosylbenzene in the presence of Mn(III) complexes of meso-tetra(para-tolyl)porphyrin, meso-tetra(ortho-tolyl)porphyrin, meso-tetra(thien-2-yl)porphyrin and β-hexaboromo-meso-tetra(thien-2-yl)porphyrin as catalyst has been studied. Oxidation of cis- and trans-stilbene in a competitive reaction strongly suggests the involvement of a high valent (porphyrin)MnO as the active oxidant intermediate, in the case of each catalyst. Clear observation of the band relevant to a (porphyrin)Mn(IV)O species in the presence of excess amounts of styrene shows the stability of this moiety towards reaction with olefins. Although, the stability of metalloporphyrins towards oxidative degradation decreases in the order MnT(o-tolyl)P(OAc) > MnT(thien-2-yl)PBr₆(OAc) > MnT(p-tolyl)P(OAc) ? MnT(thien-2-yl)P(OAc), a complex pattern of catalytic activity and product (epoxide) selectivity has been found for the Mn-porphyrins in oxidation of various alkenes.     

Oxygenation of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons with sodium periodate catalyzed by manganese(III) tetra-arylporphyrins, to study the axial ligation of imidazole

Competitive oxygenation of cyclooctene and tetralin with sodium periodate catalyzed by Mn^(III)(TPP)OAc, TPP = meso-tetraphenylporphyrin; Mn^(III) (TNP)OAc, TNP =meso-tetrakis(1-naphthyl) porphyrin; Mn^(III) (TMP)OAc, TMP =meso-tetrakis(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)porphyrin; Mn^(III) (TDCPP)OAc, TDCPP =meso-tetrakis(2,6-dichlorophenyl) porphyrin, and Mn^(III) (TPNMe₂-TFPP)OAc, TPNMe₂-TFPP =meso-tetrakis(para-NMe₂-tetrafluorophenyl)porphyrin, was carried out in the presence or absence of imidazole. This study showed that, in the absence of imidazole, selectivity for epoxide formation was high with electron-rich catalysts such as Mn(TPP)OAc, Mn(TNP)OAc and Mn(TMP)OAc, but low with electron-deficient catalysts such as Mn(TDCPP)OAc and Mn(TPNMe₂-TFPP)OAc. Presumably, not only the axial ligation of imidazole to the four-coordinate Mn(III)-center, but also the steric and electronic influences of aryl-substituents on the porphyrin periphery affect the selectivity of the catalytic oxidation reaction.     

Synthesis of Novel Porphyrin Derivatives and Their Cytotoxic Activities against A431 Cells

Three novel porphyrins, including two Schiff‐bases porphyrins, 5,10,15‐triphenyl‐20‐[4‐(2‐(4‐formyl)phenoxy)ethoxy]phenyl porphyrin ( H₂Pp ( 1 )), 5,10,15‐triphenyl‐20‐[4‐(2‐(4‐hydroxyimino)phenoxy)ethoxy]phenyl porphyrin ( H₂Pp ( 2 )) and 5,10,15‐triphenyl‐20‐[4‐(2‐(4‐m‐hydroxyanilinodeneformyl)phenoxy)ethoxy]phenyl porphyrin ( H₂Pp ( 3 )), as well as three metalloporphyrins ( CuPp ( 1a ), ZnPp ( 1b ), and CoPp ( 1c )) of porphyrin H₂Pp ( 1 ) were synthesized. Their molecular structures were characterized by ¹H‐NMR, MS, UV/VIS, and FT‐IR spectra. Furthermore, they were evaluated by their cytotoxicities against human epidermal squamous cell carcinoma cell (A431) and normal human horn cells (HaCaT) in vitro with MTT assay. Interestingly, these porphyrins and metalloporphyrins, which had a negligible cytotoxicity to HaCaT cells, showed highly cytotoxicity against A431 cells with IC₅₀ values in the range of 6.6–9.8 μM , and metalloporphyrins exhibited higher cytotoxicity than that of metal‐free porphyrins.     

Amphiphilic peroxynitrite decomposition catalysts in liposomal assemblies

Background: Peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻), a toxic biological oxidant, has been implicated in many pathophysiological conditions. The water-soluble porphyrins 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(N-methyl-4′-pyridyl)porphinato iron(III) (FeTMPyP) and manganese(III) (MnTMPyP) have recently emerged as potential drugs for ONOO⁻ detoxification, and FeTMPyP has demonstrated activity in models of ONOO⁻ related disease states. We set out to develop amphiphilic analogs of FeTMPyP and MnTMPyP suitable for liposomal delivery in sterically stabilized liposomes (SLs).Results: Three amphiphilic iron porphyrins (termed 1a-c) and three manganese porphyrins (termed 2a-c) bound to liposomes and catalyzed the decomposition of ONOO⁻. The polyethylene-glycol-linked metalloporphyrins 1b and 2b proved the most effective of these catalysts, rapidly decomposing ONOO⁻ with second-order rate constants (k_cat) of 2.9 × 10⁵ M⁻¹s⁻¹ and 5.0 × 10⁵ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively, in dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine liposomes. Catalysts 1b and 2b also bound to SLs, and these metal loporphyrin-SL constructs efficiently catalyzed ONOO⁻ decomposition (k_cat ≈ 2 × 10⁵ M⁻¹ s⁻¹). The analogous metalloporphyrins 1a and 2a, which are not separated from the vesicle membrane surface by polyethylene glycol linkers, were significantly less effective (k_cat ≈ 3.5 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ s⁻¹).Conclusions: For these amphiphilic analogs of FeTMPyP and MnTMPyP, the polarity of the environment of the metalloporphyrin headgroup is intimately related to the efficiency of the catalyst; a polar aqueous environment is essential for effective catalysis of ONOO⁻ decomposition. Thus, catalysts 1b and 2b react rapidly with ONOO⁻ and are potential therapeutic agents that, unlike their water-soluble TMPyP analogs, could be administered as liposomal formulations in SLs. These SL-bound amphiphilic metalloporphyrins may prove to be highly effective in the exploration and treatment of ONOO⁻ related disease states.     

Investigation of porphyrins and metalloporphyrins by liquid matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry

Laser desorption mass spectrometry with liquid matrix-assistance has been used to study a series of selected porphyrins and metalloporphyrins. This work presents the results of using a liquid matrix with fibrous material as the substrate for liquid matrix assisted laser desorption of porphyrins and metalloporphyrins. The liquid matrices used for porphyrin studies were o-nitrophenyl octyl ether (NPOE) and 15-crown-5. The use of a liquid matrix with soft laser ionization enhances molecular ion formation. We also have investigated the use of NPOE as a liquid matrix for identifying mixtures of up to six porphyrins in a single shot spectrum without prior separation. The (M + H)⁺ peak of each metalloporphyrin component in the mixture is clearly indicated in the spectra and no obvious interference effects were observed.     

苯乙烯-甲基丙烯酸羟基乙酯共聚物微球固载金属卟啉催化剂的制备及其催化性能

 将酰氯化的羧基金属卟啉 (MP) 与表面含羟基的苯乙烯-甲基丙烯酸羟基乙酯共聚物微球 (P(St-co-HEMA)) 进行酯化反应, 制备了共聚物微球固载的金属卟啉催化剂 (P(St-co-HEMA)MP). 采用扫描电镜、紫外-可见光谱、红外光谱和热重等手段对微球进行了表征, 并考察了它在“金属卟啉?抗坏血酸?分子氧”体系中催化环己烷羟化反应性能. 结果表明, 共聚物微球固载的金属卟啉比非固载的金属卟啉具有更高的催化活性, 催化剂重复使用 4 次, 仍保持较高催化活性. 各共聚物微球固载的金属卟啉催化活性顺序为 P(St-co-HEMA)FeP > P(St-co-HEMA)MnP > P(St-co-HEMA)CoP.     

A novel CC bond forming reaction of aryl-and alkenylsilanols. A halogen-free Mizoroki-Heck type reaction

When dimethyl(phenyl)silanol is subjected to on electron-deficient olefin in the presence of a stoichiometric amount of Pd(OAc)₂, substitution of the CH bond of the olefin by a phenyl group on the silanol occurs in 52–86% yields. The reactions of several aryl- and alkenylsilanols with several olefins are also found to proceed in the system of 10 mol% of Pd(OAc)₂, Cu(OAc)₂ (3 mol), LiOAc (2 mol) to give the corresponding products in up to 69% yield.     

Systematic Selection of Metalloporphyrin‐Based Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction by Modulation of the Donor–Acceptor Intermolecular Hardness

Incisive modulation of the intermolecular hardness between metalloporphyrins and O₂ can lead to the identification of promising catalysts for oxygen reduction. The dependency of the electrocatalytic reduction of O₂ by metalloporphyrins on the nature of the central metal yields a volcano‐type curve, which is rationalized to be in accordance with the Sabatier principle by using an approximation of the electrophilicity of the complexes. By using electrochemical and UV/Vis data, the influence of a selection of meso‐substituents on the change in the energy for the π→π* excitation of manganese porphyrins was evaluated allowing one to quantitatively correlate the influence of the various ligands on the electrocatalysis of O₂ reduction by the complexes. A manganese porphyrin was identified that electrocatalyzes the reduction of oxygen at low overpotentials without generating hydrogen peroxide. The activity of the complex became remarkably enhanced upon its pyrolysis at 650 °C.     

Oxidation of olefins and sulfides with different oxidants catalyzed by meso-tetra(n-propyl)porphyrinatomanganese(III) acetate: comparison with meso-tetra(phenyl)porphyrinatomanganese(III) acetate

In this study, the catalytic activity of meso-tetra(n-propyl)porphyrinatomanganese(III) acetate, MnT(n-pr)(OAc) in oxidation of olefins and sulfides with tetra-n-butylammonium Oxone (TBAO), tetra-n-butylammonium periodate (TBAP), aqueous hydrogen peroxide, sodium periodate and Oxone in the presence of imidazole (ImH) has been studied. The comparison of catalytic performance of MnT(n-pr)P(OAc) and MnTPP(OAc) in oxidation of olefins with TBAP shows that while the latter is four times more efficient than the former, the extent of oxidative degradation of the former is ca. 3.5 times greater than the latter. The use of excess amount of styrene resulted in only a ca. 10 % increase in the catalyst stability, suggesting a mainly intramolecular mechanism for the catalyst degradation. On the other hand, in the case of TBAO, the oxidative degradation of the former is four times greater than the latter, but the catalytic performance of the latter for the oxidation of cyclohexene was only ca. 2 times larger than the former. This observation shows that the decreased catalytic performance of MnT(n-pr)P(OAc) relative to MnTPP(OAc) is essentially due to the high degree of degradation of the former. Due to the high degree of catalyst degradation, oxidation of olefins with periodate and Oxone in the presence of the two manganese porphyrins in aqueous solution (or with hydrogen peroxide in dichloromethane) gave little or no product. Oxidation of sulfides with TBAO and TBAP in the presence of MnT(n-pr)P(OAc) showed a conversion of ca. 15 % for the catalytic oxidation of sulfides to sulfones.     

Mn3(OAc)6·CH3CN: a porous dehydrated manganese(II) acetate

The crystal structure of a new form of dehydrated manganese(II) acetate, poly[[hexa‐μ₃‐acetato‐trimanganese(II)] acetonitrile solvate], {[Mn₃(CH₃COO)₆]·CH₃CN}_n, (I), reveals a three‐dimensional polymeric structure based on an {Mn₃} trimer. The {Mn₃} asymmetric unit contains three crystallographically independent Mn positions, comprising a seven‐coordinate center sharing a mirror plane with a six‐coordinate center, and another six‐coordinate atom located on an inversion center. Two of the four crystallographically independent acetate (OAc) ligands, as well as the acetonitrile solvent molecule, are also located on the mirror plane. The Mn atoms are connected by a mixture of Mn—O—Mn and Mn—OCO—Mn bridging modes, giving rise to face‐ and corner‐sharing interactions between manganese polyhedra within the trimers, and edge‐ and corner‐sharing connections between the trimers. The network contains substantial pores which are tightly filled by crystallographically located acetonitrile molecules. This structure represents the first porous structurally characterized phase of anhydrous manganese(II) acetate and as such it is compared with the closely related densely packed anhydrous manganese(II) acetate phase, solvent‐free β‐Mn(OAc)₂.     

金属卟啉化合物光谱化反应研究 Ⅱ. 周边取代与轴向配位对金属卟啉光敏化反应的影响

本文研究了中-四(对三甲胺基苯基)金属卟啉(MeTPI, Me=H2, Zn(Ⅱ),Cu(Ⅱ), Ni(Ⅱ), Mn(Ⅲ), Co(Ⅲ))光敏化还原甲基紫精(MVI2)反应, 用动力学方程参数a, 诱导时间ti和初始反应速率v0来衡量光敏剂的优劣。同时讨论了不同的取代基以及不同的轴向配体对光敏剂光敏性的影响。结果表明: Zn(Ⅱ)TPI的光敏性较好; 含氮芳香有机碱对光敏剂起"增敏"作用, 并且通过引入带有正电荷的轴向配体, 使"增敏"效果更加显著, 同时发现, 脂肪胺起"降敏"作用。     

Epoxidation of olefins catalyzed by manganese(III) porphyrin in a room temperature ionic liquid

The epoxidation of several alkenes catalyzed by (meso-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphinato) manganese(III) chloride (MnTFPPCl) was carried out in a 3:1 [bmim]PF₆ ionic liquid/CH₂Cl₂ mixed solvent. The conversion and the yield of epoxide are excellent. It was also found that [bis(acetoxy)iodo]benzene [PhI(OAc)₂] is a more efficient oxidant than PhIO. The catalyst in the ionic liquids can be recycled for several runs without substantial diminution in the catalytic activity.