Selective oxidation of styrene to acetophenone in the presence of ionic liquids†
Abstract
Palladium-catalyzed oxidation of styrene (Wacker reaction) in the presence of 1,3-dialkylimidazolium cation based ionic liquids is described under relatively benign conditions using hydrogen peroxide. The effects of various reaction parameters and a comparison of this approach with the corresponding reactions under pressurized conditions have been made.