Microwave-assisted oxidation of saturated and unsaturated alcohols with t-butyl hydroperoxide and zeolites

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(97)10047-3

Under microwave irradiation 3? molecular sieves promote the oxidation of secondary (linear and cyclic) and benzylic alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl compounds by t-butyl hydroperoxide. Under the same conditions, α,β-unsaturated alcohols are converted into α,β-epoxyalcohols in regio- and diastereoselective way. Both oxidative processes can be performed under solvent-free conditions; however, epoxidation of allylic alcohols is found to proceed with more satisfactory efficiency in saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon (n-hexane or cyclohexane).