Multi-wall carbon nanotubes supported molybdenyl acetylacetonate: Efficient and highly reusable catalysts for epoxidation of alkenes with tert-butyl hydroperoxide

Efficient epoxidation of olefins catalyzed by MoO2(acac)2 supported on amines functionalized MWCNTs is reported. The MWCNTs bearing carboxylic acid groups were modified with 2-aminophenol and 2-aminothiophenol. These amine–MWCNTs act as bidentate ligand for attachment of Mo catalyst. These catalysts were characterized by elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy, FT-IR and diffuse reflectance UV–Vis spectroscopic methods. The prepared catalysts were used for efficient epoxidation of different alkenes such as cyclic and linear ones with tert-butyl hydroperoxide in refluxing 1,2-dichloroethane. These heterogeneous catalysts can be reused several times without significant loss of their catalytic activity.

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► Supporting of molybdenyl acetylacetonate on amine-modified MWCNTs.
► Heterogeneous catalysts were prepared.
► These catalysts were highly efficient in the epoxidation of alkenes with TBHP.
► Makes the catalysts reusable.