Anchoring of copper complex in MCM-41 matrix: a highly efficient catalyst for epoxidation of olefins by tert-BuOOH.

A complex moiety containing copper (II) has been anchored covalently into the organic-modified Si-MCM-41 to prepare a new catalyst. The amine group containing organic moiety 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane has been first anchored on the surface of Si-MCM-41 via silicon alkoxide route. The amine group upon condensation with salicyldehyde affords a bidentate ligand in the mesoporous matrix for anchoring copper(II) ions. The prepared catalyst has been characterized by UV-vis, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and infrared (IR) spectroscopic analysis, small-angle X-ray diffraction, and N2 sorption study. A remarkable difference in the pore structure has been observed after the immobilization of copper(II) complex in Si-MCM-41. The catalyst showed excellent catalytic efficiency in epoxidation reactions with various olefinic compounds including styrene and allyl alcohol, using tert-BuOOH as oxidant. Notably, styrene shows unprecedented high conversion (97%) as well as epoxide selectivity (89%) with tert-BuOOH over the Cu-MCM-41 catalyst.