An investigation into oxo analogues of molybdenum olefin metathesis complexes as epoxidation catalysts for alkenes

The oxo-imido molybdenum complex 2a is an effective catalyst at low catalyst loadings (0.5 mol % or below) for the epoxidation of a range of alkenes with tBuOOH in PhMe at 90 °C. Reactions are complete in less than 4 h and the products are isolated in high yields. The catalytic system is chemoselective for the epoxidation of electron-rich alkenes and allylic alcohols.