Heterogeneous Oxidation of Styrene Using Iron(III) Porphyrin Encapsulated in Mesoporous Molecular Sieves

Abstract

The catalytic activities of the iron(III) porphyrin encapsulated in mesoporous Al/Ti/V-MCM-41 catalysts were tested in the epoxidation of styrene. The results obtained show that the yield of epoxide formed depends not only on the nature of support materials but also on the combined effects of catalyst and the supports. The yield of epoxide formed were higher for iron(III) porphyrin encapsulated in Ti/V-MCM-41 than that in Al-MCM-41 and MCM-41. The prepared catalytic systems are inexpensive, with the advantages of high activity, selectivity, and reusability. Recycling experiments suggest that no structural changes have occurred to the mesoporous materials during the catalytic reactions.

Keywords:

• Al/Ti/V-MCM-41
• epoxidation
• heterogeneous catalysts
• iodosylbenzene
• iron(III) porphyrin
• styrene

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful for the financial supports from the University Grants Commission, New Delhi, India.