A dioxomolybdenum(
vi) complex bearing a tetradentate anionic
N,
O oxazoline ligand with four stereocenters has been studied as a catalyst in the liquid-phase epoxidation of 17 different aliphatic
and aromatic olefins (including prochiral, racemate or pure enantiomers) using
tert-butyl hydroperoxide as the oxidant. Epoxide selectivities of up to 100% and variable epoxide yields (3–100% within 24 h)
were obtained. Although the complex generally exhibited low or no chiral induction ability, diastereoselectivity was significant
in some cases (in the reaction of limonene, for example). Kinetic studies and recycling tests with the substrates
cis-cyclooctene and
trans-β-methylstyrene showed that the catalyst is stable and reusable, and recycling is facilitated by immobilization of the complex
in a room temperature ionic liquid. Preliminary results show that the complex may have a broad substrate scope, not only for
olefin epoxidation, but also for the dehydrogenation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds and the sulfoxidation of sulfides to
sulfoxides.
Keywords Molybdenum - Chiral oxazoline - Catalysis - Oxidation - Olefins - Sulfoxidation - Peroxides - Ionic liquids