Pronounced catalytic activity of oxo-vanadium(IV) Schiff base complexes in the oxidation of cyclooctene and styrene by tert-butyl hydroperoxide

Abstract

A practical catalytic method for efficient oxidation of olefins using tert-butyl hydroperoxide catalyzed by N 2O 2 tetradentate Schiff base-VO(IV) complexes has been developed. Using these catalytic systems for the oxidation of cyclooctene gives the epoxide as the sole product with yields up to 98% while oxidation of styrene produce styrene oxide and benzaldehyde as major products in excellent yields (100%). The efficiency of the catalysts is strongly influenced by the nature of solvent, reaction time, temperature, tert-butyl hydroperoxide concentration and also catalyst concentration. © 2012 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS on behalf of Academie des sciences.