Development of a Practical Catalyst for Terminal Olefin Epoxidation Using Organic Hydroperoxide As Oxidant

More than 30 % of worldwide propylene oxide production relies on an organic hydroperoxide as oxidant and grafted titanium centers on a siliceous support as catalyst. The industrial catalyst support is an amorphous and poorly defined silica network. Here, we investigate repercussions of a crystalline silaceous framework as support on the catalyst-site activity, selectivity, and long-term stability. Our data demonstrates that a crystalline microporous framework as support for grafted Ti centers can function at a higher per-gram-activity and selectivity when compared with a conventional amorphous catalyst, at similar loadings of isolated Ti sites, and also highlights the importance of localized framework structure on catalyst function.