Hydrogen Peroxide → Styrene Oxide

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a mechanically stirred solution of styrene (0.01 mol), dodecane (0.001 mol), urea (0.208 mol), sodium bicarbonate (0.003 mol) and nickel (II) acetate (0.15 mmol) in 10.0 ml of water at 30° C. is added 30% aqueous hydrogen peroxide (0.45 mol) in three equal portions over a period of 3 hours. After 8 hours the reaction mixture was extracted with 4×5 ml diethyl ether. The combined organic layer was dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate. Removal of solvent yielded styrene oxide in 45% yield with selectivity 68%.

Provenance & Evidence