Finding Replacements for Dichloromethane: mCPBA Epoxidation of Alkenes in BTF and 2-MeTHF

Major

Chemistry

Submission Type

Poster

Area of Study or Work

Chemistry

Faculty Advisor

Ram S. Mohan

Location

CNS Atrium

Start Date

4-11-2026 8:30 AM

End Date

4-11-2026 9:45 AM

Abstract

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recently restricted most uses of dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) due to its toxicity, carcinogenicity, and links to fatalities associated with exposure. Despite these hazards, dichloromethane remains one of the most widely used solvents in synthetic organic chemistry, including in peracid-mediated epoxidation of alkenes. In an effort to discover safer solvents, we have evaluated benzotrifluoride (BTF) and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF) as replacement solvents for m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (mCPBA) epoxidation. BTF and 2-MeTHF are less toxic than dichloromethane. The results indicate that BTF and 2-MeTHF are viable alternatives for peracid epoxidation.

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Apr 11th, 8:30 AM Apr 11th, 9:45 AM

Finding Replacements for Dichloromethane: mCPBA Epoxidation of Alkenes in BTF and 2-MeTHF

CNS Atrium

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recently restricted most uses of dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) due to its toxicity, carcinogenicity, and links to fatalities associated with exposure. Despite these hazards, dichloromethane remains one of the most widely used solvents in synthetic organic chemistry, including in peracid-mediated epoxidation of alkenes. In an effort to discover safer solvents, we have evaluated benzotrifluoride (BTF) and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF) as replacement solvents for m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (mCPBA) epoxidation. BTF and 2-MeTHF are less toxic than dichloromethane. The results indicate that BTF and 2-MeTHF are viable alternatives for peracid epoxidation.