An efficient biomimetic Fe-catalyzed epoxidation of olefins using hydrogen peroxide

A new, environmentally benign and practical epoxidation method was developed using inexpensive and efficient Fe catalysts. FeCl3 center dot 6H(2)O in combination with commercially available pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid and amines showed excellent reactivity and selectivity towards aromatic olefins and moderate reactivity towards 1,3-cyclooctadiene utilizing H2O2 as the terminal oxidant.