Microwave‐Assisted Epoxidation of Simple Alkenes in the Presence of Hydrogen Peroxide

Abstract

A novel application of microwave irradiation for the epoxidation of some simple alkenes, in which hydrogen peroxide was used as an oxidant together with sodium tungsten and phosphorous acid under phase‐transfer catalytic (PTC) conditions, is described as a new environmentally benign method. In comparison with conventional heating, the microwave process is a very useful alternative for introducing of the oxirane ring into some unsaturated hydrocarbons because of reduction of the reaction time and increase in yield.

Keywords:

• Alkenes
• epoxidation
• hydrogen peroxide
• microwave

Acknowledgments

This work was undertaken as part of the EU‐sponsored D32 COST Program (Chemistry in High‐Energy Microenvironments).