Direct epoxidation of olefins catalyzed by heteropolyoxometalates with molecular oxygen and recyclable reductant

A new epoxidation system is reported in this communication. Heteropolyoxometalates catalyst/recyclable reductant 2-ethylanthrahydroquinone/O-2 is employed for epoxidation of olefins. The reductant can be regenerated by catalytic hydrogenation without consumption. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.