STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE THE EPOXIDATION ACTIVITY AND SELECTIVITY OF TI-MCM-41

Two strategies to improve the catalytic activity of Ti-MCM-41 material s in the epoxidation of olefins are described; the first approach invo lves silylation of the surface of Ti-MCM-41 which produces a very hydr ophobic catalyst whereas the second approach is based on removal of wa ter from the reaction media; the increase in activity is not due to a change in the intrinsic activity of the Ti sites, but rather to a decr ease of the catalyst deactivation by reducing the formation of diols p roduced by ring opening of the epoxide.