Introduction
Sodium perborate (SPB) has the empirical formula NaBO3·xH2O. Two commercially available forms correspond stoichiometrically to x = 1 or 4, and are known as the monohydrate and tetrahydrate.
[1]
SPB was shown in 1961 to be the disodium salt of 1,4-diboratetroxane dianion (1). Hence, the monohydrate actually corresponds to the anhydrous salt, and the tetrahydrate to a hexahydrated form of it. SPB is a convenient source of H2O2, the borate helping somewhat to buffer, stabilize against decomposition, and activate towards nucleophilic oxidations, through associated species such as [B(OH)3(OOH)]-.
[2]
Sodium perborate is a cheap, stable, non-toxic oxidizing agent, easily handled, crystalline, easily available peroxygen compound and has industrial application.
[3]
Sodium perborate has been used for a variety of oxidation reactions. This reagent can be applied to the synthesis of amides from nitriles,
[4]
quinazoline-4-(3H)-ones from o-amido benzonitriles,
[5]
sulfoxides from sulfides,
[6]
esters from cyclic acetals,
[7]
carbonyl compounds from oximes,
[8]
aldehydes from terminal alkenes,
[9]
the synthesis of aryl thiocyanates
[10]
and Corey aldehyde,
[11]
and transesterification of β-keto esters.
[12]