Aerobic epoxidation of olefins catalyzed by polymerizable β-ketoesterate complexes of iron(III), nickel(II) and cobalt(II)

Abstract

Efficient epoxidation of olefinic compounds is achieved by using soluble polymerizable β-ketoesterate complexes. Iron(III), cobalt(II) and nickel(II) catalytic centres are utilized in 1,2-dichloroethane at ambient conditions. Oxygen or air and a branched aldehyde are employed as the oxidant and reductant respectively (Mukaiyama's conditions).