Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Retropinacol/Cross-pinacol Coupling Reactions - A Catalytic Access to 1,2-Unsymmetrical Diols
Published on: April 4, 2014
The ene reaction of singlet oxygen with olefins
1Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, Greece.
Abstract:
The reactions of singlet oxygen (1O2) with cis and trans butenes-1,1,1-d3, at -80 degrees C in Freon-11, show a product isotope effect (kH/kD) of 1.38 and 1.25 respectively. Isomerization of the starting materials or formation of dioxetanes were not observed during the course of the photooxygenation. Together with the isotope effects on the reactions of tetramethylethylene-d6 isomers with singlet oxygen, these results require the reversible formation of a perepoxide or charge transfer intermediate.
Related Concept Videos
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Osmium Tetraoxide
Oxidation of Alkenes: Anti Dihydroxylation with Peroxy Acids
Oxidative Cleavage of Alkenes: Ozonolysis
Ozone is a symmetrical bent molecule stabilized by a resonance structure.
Preparation of Epoxides
Epoxides result from alkene oxidation, which can be achieved by a) air, b) peroxy acids, c) hypochlorous acids, and d) halohydrin cyclization.
Epoxidation with Peroxy Acids
Epoxidation of alkenes via oxidation with peroxy acids involves the conversion of a carbon–carbon double bond to an epoxide using the oxidizing agent meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid, commonly known as MCPBA. Since the O–O bond of peroxy acids is very weak, the addition of electrophilic oxygen of peroxy acids to...
Reactivity of Enols
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Overview
Ruthenium-based Grubbs catalyst is the most commonly used catalyst for olefin metathesis polymerization. Grubbs catalyst consists of a...

