Epoxidation of Olefins with Hydrogen Peroxide on the Molybdenum Oxide-Bu₃SnCl-Charcoal Catalyst. Effect of Using Chemically Pretreated Charcoal

Abstract

The epoxidation of C₅ to C₈ olefins with hydrogen peroxide (30%) was studied on molybdenum oxide-Bu₃SnCl-charcoal in isopropyl alcohol at 50°C. The yields were remarkably increased by using chemically pretreated charcoals as supports. As modifiers of charcoal, butylating or trimethylsilylating agents gave good results. Cycloolefins of C₅ to C₈ and an inner olefin, 2-octene, selectively gave epoxides in 90 to 70% yields compared with yields of 60 to 40% on the catalyst prepared from raw charcoal. The increase in yield was attributed to the prevention of the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.