Improvement in hydrophobicity of Ti-MCM-41 using a new silylation agent MSTFA

A new silylation agent, N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide (MST FA), has been employed for the trimethylsilylation of Ti-MCM-41. The FT-IR spectra revealed that the hydrophobic trimethylsilyl group, -Si(CH3)(3), in MSTFA can replace the hydrogen in the silanol at room temperature. By virt ue of their high volatility, MSTFA and its derivative, N-methyl trifluoroac etamide, can be readily removed after silylation. The MSTFA silylated Ti-MC M-41 is found to be more hydrophobic than that silylated by BSTFA and to br ing about a significant enhancement in the yield of epoxide from cyclohexen e epoxidation with aqueous H2O2.