Highly crystalline K-intercalated Se/C: an easily accessible mesoporous material catalyzing the epoxidation of β-ionone

Abstract

Highly crystalline K-intercalated Se/C was fabricated via calcining commercially available methylselenized glucose with KBr, followed by subsequent washing with water. The corrosion by water of KBr led to a large number of mesopores in the material, enhancing its specific surface area and facilitating the adsorption of organic reactants, which was beneficial for reaction performance. Thus, in comparison with Se/C prepared without the KBr template, the catalytic activity of K-intercalated Se/C was significantly promoted in the selective epoxidation reaction of β-ionone using O₂ as a mild oxidant.