Epoxydation of Activated Olefins by Solid Bases

Abstract The epoxidations of 2-cyclohexen-1-one and β-isophorone by hydrogen peroxide and tert -butyl hydroperoxide have been investigated on basic catalysts including mild bases such as hydrotalcites activated in different conditions and fluorinated hydrotalcites, and two stronger bases, KF/Al 2 O 3 and MgLa mixed oxides. The solids containing transition metal cations are unselective since they catalyze mainly the Fenton decomposition of H 2 O 2 to O 2 . MgAl hydrotalcites are active for the epoxidation with tert -butyl hydroperoxide after decarbonation and rehydration of the surface. The catalytic properties are roughly dependent on the basic strength of the solids, and MgLa mixed oxides decarbonated at 823 K shows a higher activity for the epoxidation of isophorone by hydrogen peroxide comparable to that of titanosilicates.