Continuous Synthesis of Epoxides from Alkenes by Hydrogen Peroxide with Titanium Silicalite‐1 Catalyst Using Flow Reactors

Abstract

AbstractAbstract. Continuous‐flow epoxidation of aliphatic and aromatic alkenes with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was carried out to give epoxides using a fixed‐bed liquid flow reactor equipped with a solid titanium silicalite‐1 (TS‐1) catalyst column. The developed flow reaction enables continuous synthesis of 4‐phenyl‐1,2‐epoxybutane from 4‐phenyl‐1‐butene in 90%–98% yields (22.4 g) for 150 h from a catalyst column of 5 mm inner diameter with 100 mm length. Employment of a mixed solution of MeCN and MeOH with preservation of the Ti active site in TS‐1 crystal structures with few defects permits continuous epoxidation of less‐reactive long‐chain terminal alkene and multifunctional alkene to give epoxides in 12%–98% yields with 78%–99% selectivity.