Epoxidation and Hydroxylation of Ethylenic Compounds with Organic Peracids

Abstract

Oxiranes and alpha-glycols can be prepared from olefins by a variety of methods. One of the most important and generally applicable of these is the oxidation of ethylenic compounds with organic peracids. Depending on the peracid employed and/or operating conditions either an oxirane or an alpha-glycol can be obtained in good yield. It is important to note that the oxidation step both in epoxidation and hydroxylation reactions with organic peracids is the conversion of the olefin to the oxirane. Keywords: epoxidation; hydroxylation; ethylenic compound; organic peracids; stereochemistry; experimental conditions