| abstract |
A process for the preparation of epoxides by oxidation of the corresponding olefinic compounds is disclosed, said process being characterized in that the oxidation is carried out in a two-phase system which comprises:n (a) an organic phase which contains the olefinic substrate, catalytic amounts of a porphyrinic complex of manganese and, optionally, at least one co-catalytic component selected from: n(i) a nitrogen-containing, heterocyclic base; and n(ii) an "onium" salt, nall of said components being dissolved in an organic solvent substantially immiscible with water; (b) an aqueous phase containing a solution of an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt of an organic peracid, preferably magnesium monoperoxyphthalate hexahydrate. The resulting products may be used in the fields of foamed materials (polyurethanes), plasticizers and epoxy resins and as intermediates for fine chemistry. |