The allylic hydroxylation of enones using dioxygen as the oxidant has been studied. The reaction was first examined in the absence of any catalyst, using β-ionone as a model substrate. Then a new copper-aluminium mixed oxide, Cu-Al Ox, was prepared and characterized in order to be used as a catalyst. This oxide showed good activity, and provided the corresponding γor ε-hydroxylated enones, starting from different α,βor α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated ketones. In all cases, the [a]

A strategy for the allylic oxidation of cyclic alkenes with a copper-aluminum mixed oxide as catalyst is presented. The reaction involves the treatment of an alkene with a carboxylic acid employing tert-butyl hydroperoxide as the oxidant. In all cases, the corresponding allylic esters are obtained. When L-proline is employed, the allylic alcohol or ketone is obtained. The oxidation of cyclohexene and valencene has been optimized by design of experiments (DoE) statistical methodology.

The α'-acyloxylation of cyclic enones with linear carboxylic acids is described. The reaction is promoted by KMnO4 in the presence of a carboxylic acid and its corresponding carboxylic anhydride. The optimization of the reaction has been carried out using the statistical methodology known as design of experiments. The optimized reaction conditions have been evaluated in terms of substrate scope and compatibility with different functional groups. The methodology has been applied to the synthesis of densely oxygenated guaianes and guaianolides.

No abstract

Response surface methodology (RSM) has been employed to model and optimize the Kharasch−Sosnovsky allylic oxidation of valencene. The detailed effects of the amounts of oxidant, substrate, copper catalyst, 1,8diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU), and temperature have been studied. The concentration of substrate and quantity of oxidant have been determined as the most significant variables. The interaction effects on the yield have been investigated using a three-level full-factorial design. The yield of benzoyloxyvalencene has been improved to 99%. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) has been used to evaluate the goodness of fit of the model. Special Issue: Application of Design of Experiments to Process DevelopmentFigure 1. Kharasch−Sosnovsky oxidation of valencene. Article pubs.acs.org/OPRD