Epoxidation of cyclic enones with hydrogen peroxide catalysed by alkylcarboxylate-intercalated Ni–Zn mixed basic salts

Abstract

The interlayer spacing of layered Ni–Zn mixed basic salts (NiZn) can be precisely controlled by the intercalation of various long alkyl chain carboxylate anions into the NiZn interlayer. The butyrate-exchanged NiZn (C₃H₇COO⁻/NiZn) catalyst effectively promotes the epoxidation of various cyclic enones with aqueous hydrogen peroxide in remarkably high yields. The C₃H₇COO⁻/NiZn-catalysed epoxidation of 2-cyclohexen-1-one with an equimolar amount of H₂O₂ proceeds in a highly efficient manner, with 97% efficiency of H₂O₂ utilization. This C₃H₇COO⁻/NiZn catalyst can be reused without any loss of its catalytic activity and selectivity.