Organocatalytic epoxidation and allylic oxidation of alkenes by molecular oxygen

Abstract

Pyrrole-proline diketopiperazine (DKP) acts as an efficient mediator for the reduction of dioxygen by Hantzsch ester under mild conditions to allow the aerobic metal-free epoxidation of electron-rich alkenes. Mechanistic crossovers are underlined, explaining the dual role of Hantzsch ester as a reductant/promoter of the DKP catalyst and a simultaneous competitor for the epoxidation of alkenes when HFIP is used as a solvent. Expansion of this protocol to the synthesis of allylic alcohols was achieved by adding a catalytic amount of selenium dioxide as an additive, revealing a superior method to the classical application of t-BuOOH as a selenium dioxide oxidant.