Oxidation of cycloalkanones with hydrogen peroxide: an alternative route to the Baeyer-Villiger reaction. Synthesis of dicarboxylic acid esters

The acid-catalyzed oxidation of cycloalkanones C-5-C-8 and C-12 with hydrogen peroxide in alcohols was performed, and dicarboxylic acid esters were obtained as the major products in 53-70% yields. In the first step, geminal bishydroperoxides are generated from five-to-seven-membered cyclic ketones. The Baeyer-Villiger reaction is a side process accompanied by the formation of omega-hydroxycarboxylic acid esters. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.