On the Mechanism of the Molybdenum and Vanadium Catalyzed Epoxidation of Olefins by Alkyl Hydroperoxides

Abstract

Epoxidations carried out in the presence of 18O-enriched water provide evidence that the intact alkyl hydroperoxide is present in the activated complex responsible for oxygen transfer to the olefin. The literature mechanisms for these epoxidations are criticized, and a new mechanistic approach is presented. © 1977, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.