Amine-modified titania-silica mixed oxides: 1. Effect of amine concentration and activation temperature towards epoxidation of cyclohexene

Titania-silica mixed oxides with covalently bound 3-aminopropyl groups were prepared by keeping the amount of tetrabutylorthotitanate as fixed and varying the 3-aminopropyltriethoxy silane and tetraethylortho silicate precursors using sol-gel process. The samples are characterised to know the specific surface area, surface oxygen and hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity index. Epoxidation of cyclohexene with hydrogen peroxide is carried out over these catalysts as a function of amine concentration and activation temperature. The conversion of cyclohexene and selectivity towards cyclohexene oxide is directly correlated with the surface area as well as surface oxygen and hydrophobicity of the catalyst, respectively.