Catalytic epoxidation of alkenes with molecular dioxygen activated by CuXn–ascorbic acid systems (X = F, Cl, Br or I; n= 1 or 2)
Abstract
Copper-(I) or -(II) salt–ascorbic acid systems have been found to catalyse facile epoxidation of trans-stilbene without concomitant formation of benzaldehyde, by utilizing molecular dioxygen under mild conditions.