Epoxidation of cyclohexene on heterogenized molybdenum compounds

Abstract

Heterogenization of molybdenum species, starting either with Mo(CO)6 or MoO2(acac)2, on the surface of functionalized silicas bearing one (Si-Et1) or two (Si-Et2) ethylenediamine ligands was studied. The resulting systems are active in the catalytic epoxidation of cyclohexene by tert-butyl hydroperoxide. Using fresh catalysts, Si-Et2 results in higher selectivity, regardless of the Mo precursor. However, MoO2(acac)2-based systems are far more active. Formation of diols was never detected. Although XPS analyses point mainly to Mo(VI) species on the surface of all systems, UV-vis spectra suggest different ligands in their coordination sphere.