Schiff Base-Based Molybdenum Complexes as Green Catalyst in the Epoxidation Reaction: A Minireview

Abstract

Epoxides are class of cyclic ether and have been extensively used in petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals industries as raw materials. Due to this reasons, development of the synthetic strategy of epoxides are getting enormous interest among the research chemists. In terms of “development of the synthetic strategy”, the use of a catalyst, especially, Schiff base-based complex is of potential interest due to alternative easy routes and significant advances in metal-mediated pathways giving rise to diverse degree of substrate–reagent interactions. In addition, the synthetic strategy that follows the 12 principles of green chemistry, particularly (i) reduce the use of organic solvent, especially toxic solvents, and (ii) increasing the use of catalysts to obtain selective and quick processes in terms of atom economy, are of great attention now a days. The present review encompasses the Schiff base-based molybdenum complexes as green catalyst in the epoxidation reaction. Molybdenum complexes have grown interest owing to lower cost, environmental protection and commercialization as well as its abundance in different metalloenzymes. On the other hand, molybdenum complexes speed up the O–O bond break of tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP); as a result, it accelerates the oxygen transfer process from TBHP to the olefin. This review mainly focused on the catalytic activity of molybdenum-based Schiff base complexes for the epoxidation reaction in water/solvent free condition.

Graphical abstract