Epoxidation of Olefins Catalyzed by a Molecular Iron N -Heterocyclic Carbene Complex: Influence of Reaction Parameters on the Catalytic Activity

The catalytic epoxidation of olefins by an iron(II) complex bearing a tetradentate bis(pyridyl-N-heterocyclic carbene) ligand was investigated. This is the first example of the use of an organometallic iron compound (i.e., with a FeC bond) as an olefin epoxidation catalyst. The catalyst system, used without additives, showed good epoxide yields and selectivity for various olefins after a reaction time of 5 min. It was found that the epoxide yield strongly depended on the amount of the peroxide used and its nature and noticeably increased at lower temperatures.