Selective Epoxidation of ß-Ionone Catalyzed by Iron-Doped Se/C

As an important intermediate in pharmaceutical synthesis, 5,6-epoxy-ss-ionone has unique industrial application value. Recently, an iron-doped Se/C catalyst has been designed and prepared by calcining a mixture of methylselenized glucose with FeCl3. The material could activate the molecular oxygen to achieve the selective epoxidation of ss-ionone affording 5,6-epoxy-ss-ionone. The catalyst is stable and recyclable, and the catalytic reaction process did not require any additive, so that the production cost could be obviously reduced. This cheap and safe catalytic oxidation technology using molecular oxygen as oxidant is of good industrial application values.

Automated summary

5,6-epoxy-β-ionone is an important intermediate in pharmaceutical synthesis with unique industrial application value. A iron-doped Se/C catalyst has been designed and prepared to selectively epoxidize β-ionone and produce 5,6-epoxy-β-ionone by activating molecular oxygen. The catalyst is stable, recyclable, and does not require any additives, reducing production costs significantly. This cheap and safe catalytic oxidation technology using molecular oxygen as an oxidant has good industrial application value.