The Baeyer–Villiger Oxidation with Trifluoroacetic Acid and Household Sodium Percarbonate

摘要

A method for carrying out the Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of cyclopentanone to δ-valerolactone in a large-section introductory organic chemistry laboratory course is reported. The oxidizing agent is trifluoroperoxyacetic acid generated in situ from trifluoroacetic acid and household sodium percarbonate such as OxiClean, Oxi Magic, or Oxy-Boost. A class of 27 students can easily carry out the reaction and record a 1H NMR spectrum within a 3-hour lab period. Students typically report a 50% yield of isolated material.