EPOXIDATION OF ALLYL ALCOHOL TO GLYCIDOL USING TITANIUM SILICALITE TS-1 - EFFECT OF THE REACTION CONDITIONS AND CATALYST ACIDITY

The epoxidation of allyl alcohol to glycidol using the titanium silica lite TS-1 with hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant is described and discu ssed in detail. The reaction conditions (alcohol, solvent, temperature ) required to obtain 100% selectivity to glycidol are described and th is selectivity has been observed at conversions of allyl alcohol of up to 20%. Addition of excess hydrogen peroxide enhances conversion but does not appear to affect selectivity to glycidol deleteriously, where as addition of hydrogen peroxide over an extended time period is not p articularly beneficial. The major side reactions are the oxidation of the alcohol solvent and the ring opening solvolysis of the glycidol th at leads to the formation of alkoxy diols. Base treatment of the TS-1 using sodium azide enhances the glycidol selectivity, whereas the inco rporation of Bronsted acid sites by addition of aluminium into the fra mework structure of TS-1 enhances the selectivity to the products of s olvolysis ring opening reactions.