Epoxidation of cyclic enones with hydrogen peroxide catalysed by alkylcarboxylate-intercalated Ni–Zn mixed basic salts†
Abstract
The interlayer spacing of layered Ni–Zn mixed basic salts (NiZn) can be precisely controlled by the intercalation of various long alkyl chain carboxylate anions into the NiZn interlayer. The butyrate-exchanged NiZn (C3H7COO−/NiZn) catalyst effectively promotes the epoxidation of various cyclic enones with aqueous hydrogen peroxide in remarkably high yields. The C3H7COO−/NiZn-catalysed epoxidation of 2-cyclohexen-1-one with an equimolar amount of H2O2 proceeds in a highly efficient manner, with 97% efficiency of H2O2 utilization. This C3H7COO−/NiZn catalyst can be reused without any loss of its catalytic activity and selectivity.