[{W(=O)(O2)2(H2O)}2(μ-O)]2--catalyzed epoxidation of allylic alcohols in water with high selectivity and utilization of hydrogen peroxide

A dinuclear peroxotungstate, K-2[{W(=O)(O-2)(2)(H2O)}(2)(mu-O)].2H(2)O, exhibits high catalytic performance for the epoxidation of various allylic alcohols with only one equivalent of hydrogen peroxide at 305 K in water solvent. The effectiveness of this system is evidenced by high chemo-, regio-, and diastereoselectivity, and stereospecificity for the epoxidation of allylic alcohols. Furthermore, products/catalyst separation can be easily carried out by simple extraction and the catalyst recovered can be reused with the maintenance of the catalytic performance.