Chemoselective epoxidation of electron rich and electron deficient olefins catalyzed by meso-tetraarylporphyrin iron(iii) chlorides in imidazolium ionic liquids

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The oxygenation of substrates containing both electron rich and electron deficient olefins (1a–b) catalyzed by 5,10,15,20-tetraarylporphyrinatoiron(III) chlorides [TAPFe(III)Cl] with H2O2 gave epoxides at both electron rich and deficient olefin (2a–b, 3a–b), while with iodosyl benzene (PhIO) gave the epoxides only at electron rich olefin (3a–b) in imidazolium ionic liquids (ILs). Further reaction of 2a–b with sodium hydroxide in methanol gave 4a–b by base catalysed rearrangement of enedione epoxides. Similar reaction of 4a–b with H2O2 or PhIO gave the major epoxides of electron deficient olefins and electron rich olefins. The ferric peroxy anions (TAP-FeIII–OO−) are effective intermediates in the epoxidation of electron deficient olefins, whereas the high valent oxoferrylporphyrin π-cation radicals (TAP-FeIVO˙+) are involved in the epoxidation of electron rich olefins. The ILs provide the special microenvironments by the interactions of cations and anions, in which the generation of the active intermediates from TAPFe(III)Cl/[Bmim][PF6] and monooxygen donors could be accelerated significantly.