Ketones are one of the most powerful catalysts to the epoxidation of olefins. Ketones generate the corresponding dioxiranes with oxidant (KHSO₅) in situation, then the dioxiranes transfer oxygen atom to olefins producing epoxide and initial ketone. The catalytic efficiency of ketones is dependent on the ability of ketones for generating the corresponding dioxirane, the ability of transferring oxygen atom to olefins and the stability of ketones under the reaction conditions. The catalytic efficiencies of a variety of fatty ketones, alicyclic ketones and heterocyclic ketones and the impact factors were reviewed in the paper.

Key words: ioxirane, poxidation, olefin