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Atom-efficient and selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides and sulfones in water and epoxidation of olefins in ethanol with hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by Keplerate nanoball polyoxomolybdate {Mo132} under heterogeneous conditions are reported. The reaction yield and selectivity was affected crucially by catalyst concentration. A structurally diverse set of sulfides and olefins were transformed into desired oxidation products regardless of the electronic nature of the substituents. In spite of the heterogeneous reaction mixtures throughout the work, no difficulties with reaction progress were noted. Products were isolated easily from green media, and the catalyst could be reused several times without any appreciable decrease in catalytic activity and selectivity. Accelerated reactions under ultrasonic irradiation did not change the selectivity of the oxidation products.

Catalytic efficiency of a sphere-shaped nanosized polyoxomolybdate {Mo132} in the aerobic epoxidation of olefins in water at ambient temperature and pressure in the absence of reducing agent is exploited which resulted good-to-high yields and desired selectivity.