Aerobic epoxidation of β-ionone in water under mild conditions using aldehydes as catalyst precursors

We surprisingly found that aldehydes could be employed as catalyst precursors for the epoxidation reaction of beta-ionone to produce 5,6-epoxy-beta-ionone in as high as 83% yield. Notably, the reaction was performed in water and molecular oxygen (O-2) was employed as the mild, cheap and safe oxidant. To the best of our knowledge, this aerobic epoxidation in water is a novel reaction, and it may provide additional opportunities for green oxidation method development.

Automated summary

We unexpectedly discovered that aldehydes could serve as catalyst precursors for the epoxidation of beta-ionone, resulting in a 83% yield of 5,6-epoxy-beta-ionone. Notably, this reaction took place in water and utilized molecular oxygen (O-2) as a mild, inexpensive, and safe oxidant. To the best of our knowledge, this aerobic epoxidation in water represents a novel reaction, potentially opening up new possibilities for the development of green oxidation methods.