Epoxidation of Chalcones with t-Butylhydroperoxide in Presence of a Cobalt(II) Schiff Base Complex

Department of Chemistry, University of Roorkee, Roorkee-217 667

Manuscript received 8 June 1988, revised 15 November 1988, accepted 14 December 1988

The epoxidation of some chalcones, i.e. 3-nitrochalcone, 4'-methoxy-3- nitrochalcone, 4'-hydroxy-4-methoxychalcone, 3'-aminochalcone, 3'-amino3-nitrochalcone, 2-methoxychalcone and 2-hydroxy-chalcone has been carried out with t-butylhydroperoxide using cobalt(II) Schiff' base complex as a catalyst. The effects of solvent, temperature, different substituents and quantity of catalyst on the yield of the epoxides have also been studied. A probable free radical mechanism has been proposed.