The complex [Fe(BPMEN)](OTf)2­ (N,N‘-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,2-diaminoethane) has been established as a highly active and selective catalyst for the epoxidation of olefins using H2O2 as an oxidant by the pioneering work of Que, Jacobson, and others. We examined the effects of systematically varying substituents on the amine backbone and on the pyridine rings of the original BPMEN ligand framework on the efficiency of these iron (II) non-heme oxidation catalysts. The substituents chosen differed in their steric effects and their electron donating and withdrawing properties. We structurally characterized the complexes and tested their effectiveness in oxidizing alkenes (1-octene, styrene, cyclohexene, oleic acid). The complexes showed varying degrees of effectiveness in substrate consumption and product selectivity.

Investigating the oxidation of olefins using derivatives of the non-heme iron catalyst [Fe(BPMEN)](OTf)2]

249th National Meeting (2015)

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