Cobalt(II) Complex Catalyzed Epoxidation of Olefins by Combined Use of Molecular Oxygen and Cyclic Ketones

Abstract
In the presence of a catalytic amount of cobalt(II)-Schiff base complexes, various olefins are smoothly oxygenated into the corresponding epoxides in good to high yields by combined use of an atmospheric pressure of oxygen (oxidant) and cyclic ketones (reductant), such as 2-methylcyclohexanone, under mild conditions.