MULTIPLE BONDS BETWEEN MAIN-GROUP ELEMENTS AND TRANSITION-METALS .100. METHYLTRIOXORHENIUM AS CATALYST FOR OLEFIN OXIDATION

The pronounced Lewis acidity explains the exceptional activity of the title compound as catalyst for olefin epoxidations with hydrogen peroxide. The system MTO/tBuOH/H2O2 transforms olefins selectively and efficiently into epoxides under very mild conditions (-30 to +60-degrees-C, but normally at room temperature). In general, 0.1 to 1 mol% MTO is sufficient to achieve high turnovers. Variation of the alkyl group and addition of cocatalysts (e.g. amines) should influence activity and stereoselectivity.