Epoxidation of olefins catalyzed by manganese(III) porphyrin in a room temperature ionic liquid

The epoxidation of several alkenes catalyzed by (meso-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphinato) manganese(III) chloride (MnTFPPCl) was carried out in a 3:1 [bmim]PF6 ionic liquid/CH2Cl2 mixed solvent. The conversion and the yield of epoxide are excellent. It was also found that [bis(acetoxy)iodo]benzene [PhI(OAc)2] is a more efficient oxidant than PhIO. The catalyst in the ionic liquids can be recycled for several runs without substantial diminution in the catalytic activity.