Titanium-Substituted Heteropolytungstates as Model Catalysts for Studying the Mechanisms of Selective Oxidation by Hydrogen Peroxide

The ³¹P NMR method shows that four forms of titanium(IV)-monosubstituted Keggin-type heteropolytungstate (Ti–HPA) exist in MeCN: the dimer (Bu₄N)₇{PTiW₁₁O₃₉}₂OH] (in the abbreviated form, (PW₁₁Ti)₂OH or H1), its conjugate base (PW₁₁Ti)₂O (1), and two monomers, PW₁₁TiO (2) and PW₁₁TiOH (H2). The ratio between the forms depends on the concentrations of H⁺and H₂O. Dimer H1is produced from 2in MeCN when H⁺(1.5 mol) is added, and monomer H2is the key intermediate in this process. The catalytic activity of Ti–HPA in the oxidation of thioethers by H₂O₂correlates with their activity in peroxo complex formation and decreases in the order H2> H1> 2. The reaction of 2with H₂O₂in MeCN occurs slowly to form the inactive peroxo complex PW₁₁TiO₂(A). The addition of H₂O₂to H1and H2most likely results in the formation of the active hydroperoxo complex PW₁₁TiOOH (B). Complexes Aand Btransform into each other when H⁺or OH^–(1 mol) is added per 1 mol of Aor B, respectively. The activity of Btoward thioethers in the stoichiometric reaction is proven by ³¹PNMR and optical spectroscopy.