Reductive activation of O2 by a bioinspired Fe complex for catalytic epoxidation reactions

Abstract

Aerobic epoxidation of olefins catalyzed by iron complexes without the use of a sacrificial coreductant is unknown. We report the reductive activation of O₂ by a bioinspired [(bTAML)Fe^III(H₂O)]⁻ (1) complex to catalyze the epoxidation of alkenes with TONs of up to 80. Spectroscopic and kinetic evidence indicates the involvement of Fe^V(O) as the active oxidant during the reaction.