Oxidodiperoxidomolybdenum Complexes: Properties and Their Use as Catalysts in Green Oxidations

Abstract

The advances that have been made over the last years in the chemistry of oxidodiperoxidomolybdenum complexes, including an extensive examination of the structural and spectroscopic properties of these derivatives, the theoretical studies performed with them and their applications as catalysts in oxidations carried out under the green chemistry principles are the topics covered in this contribution. Concerning the structural features, the different structural types experimentally found are summarized and selected structural parameters are statistically analyzed. The mechanistic aspects about the use of these complexes as catalyst in oxidation reactions and the corresponding theoretical studies are revisited. Finally, the catalytic applications of these complexes, with particular emphasis on olefin epoxidation and sulfide oxidation, employing green chemistry criteria, with the successful immobilization of the complexes into several mesoporous inorganic materials, organic polymers or ILs, are reviewed.