Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 1, 2025

A Two-Step Protocol for Umpolung Functionalization of Ketones Via Enolonium Species
Published on: August 16, 2018
Practical Epoxidation of Olefins Using Air and Ubiquitous Iron-Based Fluorous Salen Complex
Yamato Kato1, Miho Kanoh1, Hina Kobayashi1
1Faculty of Agriculture, Meijo University, 1-501 Shiogamaguchi, Tempaku-ku, Nagoya 468-8502, Japan.
This study presents an eco-friendly olefin epoxidation using air and a fluorous iron(III) salen catalyst. The method efficiently converts olefins to epoxides, offering a greener alternative to traditional oxidants.
Area of Science:
- Green Chemistry
- Catalysis
- Organic Synthesis
Background:
- Traditional olefin epoxidation often employs hazardous oxidants.
- Developing sustainable oxidation methods is crucial for environmental protection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an environmentally benign epoxidation of olefins using air as the oxidant.
- To synthesize a novel fluorous iron(III) salen catalyst for efficient oxidation.
Main Methods:
- Integration of a fluorous iron(III) salen catalyst derived from common metals and pivalaldehyde.
- Utilizing air as the primary oxidant for the epoxidation reaction.
Main Results:
- High efficiency and quantitative yields were achieved in the conversion of aromatic disubstituted olefins to epoxides.
- The fluorous iron(III) salen catalyst demonstrated excellent performance in the catalytic cycle.
Conclusions:
- The developed method offers a sustainable and environmentally conscious approach to olefin epoxidation.
- This iron-catalyzed oxidation using air represents a significant advancement in green chemistry.
Related Concept Videos
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...
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Osmium Tetraoxide
Sharpless Epoxidation
Acid-Catalyzed Ring-Opening of Epoxides
Oxidation of Alkenes: Anti Dihydroxylation with Peroxy Acids
Base-Catalyzed Ring-Opening of Epoxides

