Polyisobutylene oligomer-bound polyoxometalates as efficient and recyclable catalysts for biphasic oxidations with hydrogen peroxide

Abstract

Polyisobutylene (PIB) oligomer-bound amines render Keggin polyoxometalates (POM) heptane soluble, making them efficient and recyclable catalysts for environmentally benign biphasic oxidations with hydrogen peroxide. This is illustrated using both oxidative desulfurization and alkene epoxidation reactions that can be efficiently carried out in a heptane–water two-phase system occurring through facile phase transfer of POM by the amine terminated PIB oligomer.