Homogeneous chromium(VI)-catalyzed oxidations of allylic alcohols by alkyl hydroperoxides: Influence of the nature of the alkyl group on the product distribution

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(99)00168-9

The chromium oxide-catalyzed oxidation of allylic alcohols - R¹CH(OH)CR²=CHR³ - by ROOH (R= t-Bu, PhCMe₂) affords generally a mixture of R¹COCR²=CHR³ and R¹CH=CR²COR³. The rate of the reaction and the ratio between the two oxidized compounds both depend on the nature of R. It has been concluded that the oxidative species and the reactive intermediates contain this R group.