The First Olefin‐Substituted Peroxomolybdenum Complex: Insight into a New Mechanism for the Molybdenum‐Catalyzed Epoxidation of Olefins

Abstract

What is the source of the epoxide oxygen in the Mo-catalyzed epoxidation of olefins? The olefinic side chain CH2CHCH2 of the isolated complex 1 (structure shown on the right) is epoxidized only on addition of hydroperoxides. Thus in complex 1, in contrast to previously proposed mechanisms for the title reaction, an oxygen atom from the η2-peroxo ligand is not transferred to the olefin.