10.1039/c3ra42749h
The research focuses on the development and characterization of heterogeneous catalysts composed of Mn-montmorillonite coordinated with novel Schiff-base ligands for the epoxidation of cyclohexene using molecular oxygen under Mukaiyama conditions. The catalysts were synthesized and characterized using various analytical techniques including IR, UV-vis DRS, XRD, SEM, and ICP. The study optimized reaction conditions to achieve high conversion rates and selectivity for the production of epoxycyclohexane, with the best results showing 100% conversion and 90.0% selectivity at 40°C in 5 hours using molecular oxygen as the oxidant in acetonitrile. The catalysts demonstrated stability over at least three cycles, indicating their potential as environmentally friendly and economical options for industrial epoxidation processes. The reactants involved in the catalytic epoxidation reaction included cyclohexene, isobutylaldehyde, and the Mn-montmorillonite composite catalysts. The analysis of the reaction involved the use of GC-MS and GC equipped with specific columns to determine the conversion and selectivity of the epoxide product.
10.1016/j.tetlet.2008.07.146
The study investigates the synthesis of diethyl c-hydroxy-a,a-difluoromethylenephosphonates through the ring-opening reactions of epoxides. Key chemicals involved include titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4), which acts as a Lewis acid to promote the ring-opening of epoxides, and lithium diethyl difluoromethylenephosphonate, which serves as a nucleophile. The study explores the reactivity of various epoxides, such as propylene oxide, 1,2-butene oxide, styrene oxide, and cyclohexene oxide, with these reagents. The reactions are regioselective, favoring attack at the less hindered site of the epoxide ring. The study also examines the use of Grignard reagents, which act as both nucleophiles and Lewis acids, leading to the formation of halohydrins. The synthesized compounds have potential applications in the design of non-hydrolyzable analogues of biologically active phosphate esters and as substrates for certain enzymes.