Epoxidation of styrene by anhydrous hydrogen peroxide over boehmite and alumina catalysts with continuous removal of the reaction water

• Published in: Journal of molecular catalysis. A, Chemical Chemical, 2005-03, Vol.227 (1), p.217-222
• Main Authors: Choudhary, V.R., Patil, N.S., Chaudhari, N.K., Bhargava, S.K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alumina; Anhydrous hydrogen peroxide; Boehmite; Catalysis; Chemistry; Epoxidation of styrene; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Styrene oxide; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry
• ISSN: 1381-1169; 1873-314X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.molcata.2004.10.025

Boehmite and alumina (obtained from the boehmite by its calcination at different temperatures 300–900 °C) are active and stable catalysts for the selective epoxidation of styrene by anhydrous H 2O 2 to styrene oxide with continuous removal of the reaction water. Influence of the catalyst (boehemite) calcination temperature, H 2O 2/styrene ratio and catalyst loading on the styrene conversion and selectivity for styrene oxide, phenyl acetaldehyde, benzaldehyde and benzoic acid in the epoxidation has been investigated. In the presence of water, the catalyst shows very poor activity and selectivity in the epoxidation. The catalyst also catalyses H 2O 2 decomposition and hence has optimum loading for obtaining high-styrene conversion in the epoxidation. MCM-41 molecular sieves modified with Hdpf and/or, [{Ru(η 6- p-cymene)Cl(μ-Cl)} 2] and the molecular compound 2 were used as catalysts for the reaction between propargyl alcohol and benzoic acid to give 2-oxopropyl benzoate. ▪