Epoxidation of Alkenes

Chapter 6: Reactions of Alkenes : Addition Reactions

 

epoxidation of alkenes

Reaction type: Electrophilic Addition

Summary.

MECHANISM FOR REACTION OF ALKENES WITH PERACID
A single step reaction involving several changes. Start at the C=C as the nucleophile, make a bond to the slightly electrophilic O, break the weak O-O bond and form a C=O, break the original C=O to make a new O-H bond, break the original O-H to form the new C-O bond ! (phew !) formation of an epoxide by reaction of a peracid with an alkene