Highly efficient C–H insertion reactions of hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by homogeneous and heterogeneous methyltrioxorhenium systems in ionic liquids

A convenient and efficient C–H insertion reaction of environment friendly H2O2 into representative hydrocarbon derivatives by homogeneous methyltrioxorhenium (MTO), heterogeneous poly(4-vinylpyridine)/methyltrioxorhenium (PVP/MTO) and microencapsulated polystyrene/methyltrioxorhenium (PS/MTO) systems in ionic liquids, is described. In some cases a higher activity was observed if compared with the same reaction in molecular solvents. The heterogeneous catalysts are stable systems under the reaction conditions and can be recycled for more transformations.