Dark singlet oxygenation of organic substrates in single-phase and multiphase microemulsion systems

The disproportionation of hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by molybdate anions provides an effective non-photochemical source of singlet oxygen 1O2, (1Δg). Microemulsions are the preferred media to carry out ‘dark’ singlet oxygenation of labile and hydrophobic substrates. Single-phase and multiphase microemulsion systems have been developed and improved for the last decade and their respective advantages and limitations are shortly reviewed and discussed.