Epoxidation of olefins catalyzed by a molybdenum-Schiff base complex anchored in the pores of SBA-15

Novel mesostructured hybrid materials containing a molybdenum Schiff base complex grafted on the internal surface of SBA-15 pores were prepared by introducing MoO2(acac)(2) into a mesoporous silica functionalized with Schiff base ligands. The SBA-15 supports modified by an amine or salicylaldehyde were obtained by co-condensation of tetraethylorthosilicate and the corresponding organosilane in the presence of Pluronic P123 surfactant as a structure directing agent using bis[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]amine or 5-chloromethylsalicylaldehyde coupled with bis[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]amine as precursor. The molybdenum (VI) complexes immobilized on the internal surface of SBA-15 pores were employed as catalyst in the epoxidation of various alkenes using tert-butylhydroperoxide as oxidant. These immobilized molybdenum complexes are highly active and selective catalysts in liquid phase olefin epoxidation in dichloroethane at 84 degrees C. Leaching tests and metal analysis of reaction solutions showed that the kinetically competent catalyst is the molybdenum complex immobilized on the internal surface of SBA-15 pores and there is no molybdenum species in the solution. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.