Ruthenium Catalyst for Epoxidation Reaction

*Raiedhah A. Alsaiari*

## **Abstract**

The role of ruthenium as a heterogeneous catalyst for epoxidation reaction has not been investigated extensively. Therefore, the purpose of this chapter is to provide overview of the epoxidation of alkene using ruthenium catalysts. The chapter is divided into two main sections. The first section is about epoxidation of alkene using supported ruthenium catalysts, while the second using ruthenium complexes (homogenous catalysts).

**Keywords:** ruthenium catalysts, epoxidation, alkene, homogeneous and heterogenous catalysis

## **1. Introduction**

Synthetic organic chemistry relies on organic substrate oxidation not only in applications of large scale, but also in fine chemical production. Affording greater control over chemical process activity and selectivity whilst concomitantly ensuring sustainability is currently the pursued goal for catalyst design. Among the existing techniques of C=C bond functionalization, a major one is epoxidation [1].

Both laboratory syntheses and chemical production draw on epoxides as useful intermediate. Epoxide is one of the key intermediates in the manufacture of functionalized fine chemicals, pharmaceutics, agrochemical, and perfume industry as well as in natural product synthesis [2–4].

The most eloquent instance is Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation based on titanium tartrate complexes [5]. A significant aspect related to epoxidation catalysts; ruthenium complexes have enjoyed considerable advancement in recent times.

Another domain that has been developed substantially is heterogeneous epoxidation with ruthenium catalysis. In this context, catalysts have been devised through several effective processes, such as derivatization and immobilization, involving known homogeneous catalysts.

The role of ruthenium as a heterogeneous catalyst for epoxidation has not been investigated extensively. Herein, it will be provided an updated overview of developments in the epoxidation of alkene using ruthenium catalysts (**Figure 1**).

**Figure 1.** *Epoxidation of alkene using ruthenium catalysts.* This chapter is divided into two major sections. The first section focuses exclusively on using supported ruthenium catalysts to catalyze alkene epoxidation, while the second covers using ruthenium complexes for this reaction.
