Styrene epoxidation over gold supported on different transition metal oxides prepared by homogeneous deposition-precipitation

Abstract

Epoxidation of styrene by anhydrous tert-butyl hydroperoxide over a number of transition metal oxide (viz. TiO₂, Cr₂O₃, MnO₂, Fe₂O₃, Co₃O₄, NiO, CuO, ZnO, Y₂O₃, ZrO₂, La₂O₃ and U₃O₈) supported nano-size gold catalysts, prepared by the homogeneous deposition-precipitation method, has been investigated. The supported gold catalysts (except Au/MnO₂ and Au/U₃O₈) showed good styrene conversion activity and selectivity for styrene oxide in the epoxidation. The Au loading, Au particle size and performance in the epoxidation of the supported gold catalysts are found to be strongly influenced by the transition metal oxide support used in the catalyst. The Au/TiO₂ and Au/CuO are promising catalysts for the selective epoxidation.