m-CPBA

(m-Chloroperoxybenzoic Acid)

Other Names:

m-Chloroperbenzoic acid

3-Chloroperoxybenzoic acid

3-Chloroperbenzoic acid

General Information:

Structure:

CAS Number: 937-14-4

Molecular Weight: 172.57 g/mol

Appearance: White powder

Melting Point: 92-94 C

Acidity (pKa): 7.57

m-CPBA is a peroxycarboxylic acid that is commonly used as an oxidizing agent. It is usually available in <77% form because pure m-CPBA is shock sensitive (potentially explosive). It usually consists of ~10% m-chlorobenzoic acid and the remainder is H2O.

Common Uses:

Reagent for the oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides

Procedure excerpt:

To a solution of the SM (2.38 g, 9.29 mmol) in DCM (25 mL) was added dropwise a solution of mCPBA (77%, 2.08 g, 9.29 mmol) in DCM (25 mL). The reaction mixture . . .

[full procedure]

Reagent for the oxidation of sulfides to sulfones

Procedure excerpt:

To solution of the SM (141 mg, 0.6 mmol) in DCM (6 mL) at 0 C was added mCPBA (221 mg, 1.3 mmol) in DCM (3 mL). After warming to RT a white precipitate . . .

[full procedure]

Reagent for the oxidation of alkenes to epoxides

Procedure excerpt:

To a solution of the SM (0.48 g, 1.217 mmol) in DCM was added mCPBA (77%, 0.72 g, 3.2 mmol), followed by NaHCO3 (0.24 g, 2.86 mmol) and Na2CO3 (0.24 g, 2.27 mmol). . . .

[full procedure]

Reagent for Baeyer-Villiger oxidation

Reagent for the oxidation of nitrogen-containing compounds

Safety:

Pure m-CPBA can be detonated by shock or sparks.

References:

1) Patent Reference: WO2016001341, page 101, (9.1 MB)

2) Patent Reference: WO2007084786, page 113, (9.4 MB)

3) UK Pat App GB2463151A, page 179

4) Wikipedia: meta-Chloroperoxybenzoic acid (link)

5) www.sigmaaldrich.com: 3-Chloroperbenzoic acid (link)

6) Burke, S. D.; Danheiser, R. L.; Handbook of Reagents for Organic Synthesis, Oxidizing and Reducing Agents