Synfacts 2007(12): 1325-1325  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-991384
Polymer-Supported Synthesis
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Alkene Epoxidation Catalyzed by a SiO2-Supported Ruthenium Catalyst

Contributor(s): Yasuhiro Uozumi, Yoichi M. A. Yamada
M. Tada, R. Coquet, J. Yoshida, M. Kinoshita, Y. Iwasawa*
The University of Tokyo, Japan
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
22 November 2007 (online)

Significance

The SiO2-immobilized ruthenium catalyst 1 was developed for the epoxidation of alkenes. Thus, the epoxidation of stilbene catalyzed by 1 (2 mol%) was performed with isobutyraldehyde (1 equiv) under O2 atmospheric conditions to give 2,3-diphenyloxirane in 100% conversion with 83% selectivity. The epoxidation of cyclopentene, norbornene, and cyclooctene gave the corresponding epoxides in 86-100% conversion with 74-82% selectivity. Catalyst 1 was reused five times without any significant loss of catalytic activity.