Catalytic oxidation of fatty acids. I. Epoxidation of unsaturated fatty acids

Unsaturated fatty acids and their derivatives were oxidized with aqueous hydrogen peroxide in two-phase systems in the presence of homogeneous catalysts Q(3){PO(4)[WO(O(2))(2)](4)}, where Q is [Bu (4) (n) ](3) (+), [C(5)H(5)N(n-C(16)H(33))](3) (+) or [Me(n-C(8)H(17))(3)N](3) (+). The reactions occurred under mild conditions (T < 100 A degrees C, atmospheric pressure), without organic solvents, and exhibited high conversion and selectivity.