Effect of solvents on propylene epoxidation over TS-1 catalyst

Abstract

Solvents have an important effect on the epoxidation of propylene catalyzed by TS-1. The experimental results show that, in different solvents, the catalytic activity of epoxidation is in the following order: methanol > 2-propanol > 2-butanol > acetonitrile > acetone > tetrahydrofuran. Based on the reaction mechanism, the effects of solvents on the epoxidation were studied from eight aspects, which included the electronic effect, the steric effect, the polarity of solvent, the effect of solvent on sorption and diffusion of reactant, the oxidation of alcohol, the etherification of PO, the deactivation of TS-1 and the solubility of propylene in the solvents. The electronic effect, steric effect and the polarity of solvent were considered to be the main aspects. This work may provide theoretical guidance for choosing solvents for these kinds of reactions and also may serve as basis for further industrialization.

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