Confined space-controlled hydroperoxidation of trisubstituted alkenes adsorbed on pentasil zeolites.

Photosensitized oxidation of trialkylalkenes 2-methyl-2-pentene (1), 1-methylcyclohexene (2), trans-3-methyl-2-pentene (3), cis-3-methyl-2-pentene (4), and 2-methyl-2-butene (5) included in the internal framework of Na-ZSM-5 zeolites was investigated. The zeolite samples having adsorbed the alkenes were suspended in isooctane, and the sensitizer, tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP), was dissolved in the solution. Singlet oxygen produced in the solution diffused into the internal framework of the zeolites and reacted with alkenes. For all the substrates studied, the ene-type allylic hydroperoxides were obtained in a highly regioselective manner. The regiochemistry for 1-4 in favor of the allylic hydrogen abstraction from the largest substituents is in contrast to their photooxidation within the dye-supported zeolite Na-Y, where the secondary hydroperoxides are preferentially produced. The tight confinement of the alkenes within the narrow channels of the ZSM-5 zeolites is likely to be responsible for this selectivity.