Researchers have investigated for decades a suitable catalyst to selectively synthesize epoxides from alkenes with air, in order to circumvent harsh oxidant agents. Here, the authors show that a selective aerobic epoxidation of industrial alkyl alkenes in liquid phase occurs without any catalyst, solvent nor additive, just placing the neat alkene under 3–5 bar of O2 and heating between 100 and 200 °C.
- Susi Hervàs-Arnandis
- Francisco Garnes-Portolés
- Antonio Leyva-Pérez
