Liquid-phase oxidation of cyclohexene and of tetralin by N2O in the presence of onium salts under mild experimental conditions

Cyclohexene and tetralin can be oxidized to a slight extent by N2O in the presence of quaternary ammonium salt promoters under mild experimental conditions. In non-polar solutions, the higher yields of the oxidations of cyclohexene and tetralin are influenced by the donor-acceptor properties of the solvents. The changes in the IR spectrum of N2O lend further support to the assumption that ion-pair interactions between the solvated oxidant and the onium salts result in an enhanced rate of O-transfer from the oxidant. Onium-decavanadate ion-pair complexes are more effective promoters than simple onium salts. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.