Patent ID: 6326502
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: C07D

Abstract:
A process for the epoxidation of alkenes of the formula (1) ##STR11##where R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are, independently of one another, hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 -alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -alkoxy, C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 -aryl, --CHOH--CH.sub.3, --CH--NH.sub.2 --CH.sub.3 or carboxy, using air or oxygen over a catalyst comprising compounds of the formula (2)Mo.sub.x O.sub.y (L).sub.z (2)wherex is 1, 2 or 3,y is an integer from 0 to 2x+1,z is an integer from 1 to 2x,where the ligand L is a compound of the formula (3) or (4) ##STR12##whereX is a nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur atom,Y is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -alkoxy, F, Cl, Br, I, COOCH.sub.3, C.sub.6 -C.sub.14 -aryl or C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 -cycloalkyl,R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 form a ring containing from 4 to 8 carbon atoms onto which one or two aromatic rings may be fused,R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are hydrogen, branched or straight-chain C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -alkyl or branched or straight-chain C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 -haloalkyl which are substituents on the ring formed by R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 and/or the rings fused onto this ring,or the ligand L is a compound of the formula (5), (6) or (7) ##STR13##where R is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -haloalkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -alkoxy, COOCH.sub.3, C.sub.6 -C.sub.14 -aryl or C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 -cycloalkyl and n is 1 or 2 and m is from 1 to 6, wherein the reaction is carried out in a pressure vessel which is completely lined with an inert material.