Cation controlled singlet oxygen mediated oxidation of olefins within zeolites

Oxidation of trialkyl olefins has been performed within zeolites employing thionin as the singlet oxygen sensitizer. Unusual selectivity in favor of secondary hydroperoxides is observed within zeolites. In light of the fact that in solution such a selectivity is never observed the selectivity reported here is of great significance. Based on computational results the observed selectivity is attributed to conformational control of the reactant olefins by cations present in zeolites. Cation-π interaction seems to control the behavior of the olefins towards singlet oxygen within zeolites.