Mo<sub>2</sub>C as Pre-Catalyst for the C-H Allylic Oxygenation of Alkenes and Terpenoids in the Presence of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>

oleh: Michael G. Kallitsakis, Dimitra K. Gioftsidou, Marina A. Tzani, Panagiotis A. Angaridis, Michael A. Terzidis, Ioannis N. Lykakis

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2022-07-01

Deskripsi

In this study, commercially available molybdenum carbide (Mo<sub>2</sub>C) was used, in the presence of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, as an efficient pre-catalyst for the selective C-H allylic oxygenation of several unsaturated molecules into the corresponding allylic alcohols. Under these basic conditions, an air-stable, molybdenum-based polyoxometalate cluster (Mo-POM) was formed in situ, leading to the generation of singlet oxygen (<sup>1</sup>O<sub>2</sub>), which is responsible for the oxygenation reactions. X-ray diffraction, SEM/EDX and HRMS analyses support the formation mainly of the Mo<sub>6</sub>O<sub>19</sub><sup>2−</sup> cluster. Following the proposed procedure, a series of cycloalkenes, styrenes, terpenoids and methyl oleate were successfully transformed into hydroperoxides. After subsequent reduction, the corresponding allylic alcohols were produced with good yields and in lab-scale quantities. A mechanistic study excluded a hydrogen atom transfer pathway and supported the <i>twix</i>-selective oxygenation of cycloalkenes on the more sterically hindered side via the <sup>1</sup>O<sub>2</sub> generation.