Aliphatic Olefin Epoxidation with Hydrogen Peroxide Catalyzed by an Integrated Mn/TS-1/N System

Abstract

Propylene liquid-phase epoxidation with 50–75% H₂O₂ is an important process for the industrial production of propylene oxide (PO). To realize a propylene epoxidation process that proceeds with low hydrogen peroxide concentration, we developed an integrated Mn/TS-1/N catalytic system via in-situ reaction of Mn/TS-1 with an N-donor ligand, affording the PO product in excellent yield with only 30 wt% H₂O₂. Other long-chain aliphatic epoxides were also readily synthesized by this catalytic epoxidation system. Moreover, in addition to the standard micro-pressure reactor, a continuous-flow microreactor was developed that executed the hydrogen peroxide propylene oxide (HPPO) process with excellent efficiency for 1300 hours. This innovative Mn/TS-1/N catalyzed epoxidation represents a promising direction for advancing HPPO industrial processes, offering improved efficiency while minimizing the reliance on high concentrations of H₂O₂.

Key words

olefins - hydrogen peroxide - integrated Mn/TS-1/N catalysts - epoxidation - continuous-flow microreactions

Publication History

Received: 02 April 2024

Accepted after revision: 13 May 2024

Article published online:
28 May 2024

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