KINETICS AND MECHANISM OF THE HETEROGENEOUS CATALYTIC EPOXIDATION OF OLEFINS .1. EPOXIDATION OF CYCLOHEXENE BY CUMENE HYDROPEROXIDE IN THE PRESENCE OF MOLYBDENUM SELENIDE

It has been established for the first time that activation of the catalyst (molybdenum selenide) by peroxide radicals formed in the homolytic decomposition of the hydroperoxide occurs during the epoxidation of cyclohexene by cumene hydroperoxide. It was shown that the breakdown of the hydroperoxide is not simply an undesirable reaction that reduces the selectivity of synthesis of olefin oxides but plays an important role in this process. A mechanism of hydroperoxide epoxidation, in agreement with the experimental kinetic laws of the process, is proposed.