Selective oxidation of alkenes catalysed by Ruthenium(II) complexes containing coordinated perchlorate

Ruthenium(II) perchlorate complexes, [Ru(dppm)3(ClO4)]ClO4 1, [Ru(dppe)3(ClO4)]ClO4 2, and [Ru(dpae)3(ClO4)]ClO4 3, catalyse the selective homogeneous oxidation of alkenes with TBHP and H2O2 as oxidizing agents. Oxidation of cyclohexene with TBHP gave 2-cyclohexene-1-ol, 2- cyclohexenone and 1-(tert-butylperoxy)-2-cyclohexene. The homogeneous liquid phase oxidation of cyclohexene with TBHP shows appreciable solvent effect. Styrene on oxidation with TBHP gave benzaldehyde as the major product and styrene oxide as the minor product. Oxidation with H2O2 is radical- initiated and gives low conversion to products. TBHP and H2O2 are compared for their oxidizing ability and TBHP is more effective than H2O2 as an oxidizing agent. Linear and long chain alkenes are not efficiently oxidized. Cyclooctene and trans-stilbene are oxidized to the corresponding epoxides.