Epoxidation process using amine catalysts

Abstract

A process for the epoxidation of an alkene, which process comprises reaction of an alkene with an oxidising agent in the presence of a catalyst, characterised in that the catalyst is an amine of formula (I), wherein T represents hydrogen or a moiety of formula (a); R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 each independently represents hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted aryl group, heterocyclyl or an optionally substituted aralkyl group wherein substituents for the above mentioned groups are selected from up to three of alkyl, aryl, heterocycyl, hydroxy, alkoxy or a group NRsRt wherein R5 and Rt each independently represents hydrogen, alkyl or alkylcarbonyl and R7 represents hydrogen, alkyl, aryl or aralkyl; or T represents a moiety (a) wherein R1 together with R2 represents an optionally substituted alkylene chain comprising 2 to 6 carbon atoms the alkylene chain being optionally interrupted with an oxygen atom or a group NRp wherein Rp is hydrogen or alkyl, and wherein optional substituents for any carbon atom of the alkylene chain are selected from hydroxy, alkoxy, oxo or a group NRsRt wherein Rs and Rt each independently represents hydrogen, alkyl or alkylcarbonyl or substituents on any two adjacent carbon atoms of the chain together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form an alicyclic, aryl or heterocyclic ring; and R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 are as defined above. 1

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.