Catalytic oxidation of cyclohexene by aqueous iron(III)/H2O2 in mildly acidic solution: Epoxidation versus allylic oxidation

Catalytic oxidation of cyclohexene (organic layer) at 25 °C in a stirred two phase system with fresh [Fe(OH2)6](ClO4)3/H2O2 in the pH range 2.0–4.0 (I = 0.1 M, NaClO4/HClO4) is complete within a 2-minute sampling time before deactivating in contrast to previous reports in the literature. Cyclohexene epoxide is a significant product alongside the more dominant allylic oxidation products; 2-cyclohexen-1-ol and 2-cyclohexen-1-one. Both epoxide and the accompanying allylic products appear over the same time period suggesting that they derive from the same catalytic species. The pH dependence of oxidation product yield (optimizing at ~ pH 3) suggests that the active catalyst derives from reactions involving [Fe(OH2)5OH]2 + (pKa 2.54) and is most likely the hydroperoxo ion [Fe(OH2)5OOH]2 +. Yields of cyclohexene epoxide are independent of the presence of dioxygen suggesting that an activated form of H2O2 ([Fe(OH2)5OOH]2 +) is responsible. Reduction in the relative yield of the two allylic oxidation products in the absence of dioxygen suggests that they derive from 2-cyclohexen-1-peroxy radicals resulting from iron(II)-promoted Fenton chemistry following homolytic Fesingle bondO or Osingle bondO cleavage on [Fe(OH2)5OOH]2 +. A mechanism for the epoxide formation is proposed involving H3O+-assisted heterolytic Osingle bondO cleavage on [Fe(OH2)5OOH]2 + accompanying O atom transfer to the cyclohexene double bond. Accompanying catalysis of H2O2 decomposition persists over several hours. For the first time in a Fenton-like system evidence has been obtained for different timescales for the catalysis of oxidation reactions versus catalysis of H2O2 decomposition.