Synthesis of epoxy (meth)acrylic esters by selective epoxidation of unsaturated (meth)acrylic esters using the system H2O2-Na2WO4 under phase transfer catalysis

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)90120-6

Selective epoxidation of unsaturated (meth)acrylic esters by various classical epoxidizing agents was investigated. It is shown that high selectivity and good yields are obtained by using the system H₂O₂ (20%) - Na₂WO₄ under phase transfer catalysis. Under these conditions, the rigorous control of the temperature and of the initial pH allows to prevent polymerization during these selective epoxidations. It is shown that the selectivity of the epoxidation depends upon the difference of nucleophilicity of the two double bonds.