Selective epoxidation of monoterpenes with methyltrioxorhenium and H2O2

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(98)01853-X

In the presence of pyridine as a co-catalyst, CH₃ReO₃ catalyses the epoxidation of terpenes such as α-pinene with H₂O₂ with minimal rearrangement of the epoxide. Pyridine is also critical to suppress isomerisation of the olefin substrate (in case of nerol, geraniol). The reaction can be directed towards selective single or double epoxidation, or in one step towards the rearranged product (e.g. from linalool to the ring- closure product linalool oxide.