Epoxidation of propene on vanadium species supported on silica supports of different structure

Silica supports such as mesoporous materials (SBA-3, SBA-15 and MCM-41), silicalite and amorphous silica were used for accommodation of vanadium species introduced on the support surface by means of impregnation, with vanadium concentration from 1 to 7 wt.%. Catalysts were characterised by means of XRD, low temperature adsorption/desorption of nitrogen, DR UV–vis and Raman spectra and also H2-TPR measurements. Isolated vanadium species dispersed in the channels of mesoporous SBA-3 with pores diameter related to micropores range, seems to be the most active for propene epoxidation.

► V/M41S is a very efficient catalytic system for propene epoxidation reaction.
► Isolated vanadium species play a crucial role for propene epoxidation.
► Pore diameter of silica matrices influences the activity for propene epoxidation.