Hydrogen peroxide is attractive as a green oxidant: it is the most atom efficient and contrasts with common oxidants such as chromates (toxic and wasteful), nitric acid, and peracids (explosive and wasteful). Organic oxidations are the most important chemical transformations and hydrogen peroxide is used in countless processes including the manufacture of Pyrethroid insecticides and Pyroxasulfone herbicides. Hydrogen peroxide is used as an aqueous solution as the pure compound is dangerous to handle, but many organic substrates are not water soluble and/or water compatible. Even when the substrate is not sensitive to water, applications are normally biphasic with a water-immiscible solvent (e.g. chlorinated solvent) being used to dissolve the substrate and a phase transfer catalyst needed to facilitate the biphasic reaction.
These multi-component reaction systems require complex separation and purification procedures resulting in a high-cost and high-waste process. There is a real and multi-application need for alternative effective sources of peroxide, that are non-aqueous and anhydrous, simple to use, greener, and safer than the known alternatives. Herein we report for the first time, a novel green non-aqueous oxidant, which is stable over long periods, yet effective in many applications including various organic oxidations and material recycling. It incorporates a green, non-toxic and easily recyclable organic solvent suitable for most organic compounds.
