Pre-constructed multi-peroxotungstic centers for highly efficient and recyclable organophosphorus-tungstic catalysts in styrene epoxidation

Abstract

Styrene epoxide is an important organic intermediate with large market prospect. Herein, a new type of homogeneous catalysts bearing pre-constructed diperoxotungstic centers were used in styrene epoxidation. With the increase of diperoxotungstic centers from 2 to 4, the styrene epoxide selectivity can be raised from 92.80% to 95.5%, which was the highest activity in styrene epoxidation. Specially, the good recyclability of these catalysts can overcome the recycling problem of homogeneous catalysts in this field.