THE EPOXIDATION OF CYCLOHEXENE BY DIOXIRANES OVER KETONE CATALYSTS

In this work, the dioxirane system has been applied to the epoxidation of cyclohexene. The catalytic activity of acetone, butan-2-one and pe ntan-2-one presented as homogeneous catalysts or supported on inorgani c and polymer materials was investigated. It was found that the rate o f cyclohexene oxide formation increased in proportion to increasing ke tone concentrations using acetone and butan-2-one. Because of the adva ntages of supported catalysts, ketones were chemisorbed or grafted ont o a range of different supports including different forms of silica an d various polymers. The presence of carbonyl groups on the surface of the supports was confirmed and their catalytic activity was evaluated. The turnover frequency of the grafted ketones were compared with that of the homogeneous catalysts and design criteria for the further deve lopment of supported ketone catalysts were established.