Alkene Epoxidation Catalyzed by Ti-Containing Polyoxometalates: Unprecedented β-Oxygen Transfer Mechanism.

A DFT study revealed that the mechanism of alkene epoxidation with hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by Ti-containing polyoxometalates (POMs) depends on the Ti coordination environment: For rigid and hindered Ti centers, the unprecedented β-oxygen transfer from the titanium hydroperoxo species becomes favored over the α-oxygen one. Improving the model for catalyst description, the calculations were able to reproduce the Arrhenius activation energy values determined in kinetic studies. Unlike protonation, the possible ion-pairing between POMs and countercations has a minor effect on the electrophlicity of the catalyst and, consequently, on the activity of epoxidation.