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Synlett 2008(4): 626-627  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1032131
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© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Dimethyldioxirane (DMD)

Vishnu Prabhakar Srivastava*
Green Synthesis Lab, Department of Chemistry, University of Allahabad, Allahabad, U. P., 211002, India
e-Mail: prabhaker7777@yahoo.com;
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Publication History

Publication Date:
12 February 2008 (online)

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Dimethyldioxirane (DMD) Synlett 2008; 2008(05): 786-786
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1032115

Introduction

Dimethyldioxirane (DMD), a nonmetal organic oxidant, has the ability to transfer an oxygen atom to a wide range of substrates and functionalities, including C=C and C-H bonds in hydrocarbons as well as atoms containing lone pairs such as sulfide, [1] primary and secondary amines. [2] This nonmetal electrophilic oxygen transfer agent is the reagent of choice for most epoxidation reactions (better than MCPBA) due to its substrate-induced selectivity, specificity, and reactivity under mild conditions (at 0-25 °C and neutral pH). It reacts rapidly and in high yield, is easy to handle and applicable to acid- or base-sensitive substrates, and it can be used to synthesize hydrolytically labile oxyfunctionalized products. [3-4]

DMD-mediated halogenations, [5a] hydroxylations, [5b] and oxidations are widely used in the chemistry of flavonoids, low-molecular-weight natural compounds and in expanding the organoborane chemistry. [6a] [b] It also acts as a G-specific chemical sequencing agent and is a new source of singlet oxygen generation. [7a,b]