Co2 +-exchanged MOR and 5A zeolites as efficient solid catalysts for the epoxidation of styrene with air

•Co2 +-exchanged MOR and 5A are first used in the aerobic epoxidation of alkenes.•89.4–94.2 mol% conversion of styrene with epoxide selectivity of > 90% is obtained.•A route to catalyze epoxidation of alkenes over simply prepared cheap catalysts.

Selective oxidation of alkenes with air to corresponding epoxides was performed over simple ion-exchanged Co-MOR and Co-5A. Among all transition metal ions-exchanged M-zeolites, both Co-MOR and Co-5A exhibited the highest activity at 363 K. Notably, for the epoxidation of styrene, α-pinene, α-methyl styrene and cyclooctene, Co-MOR obtained higher conversions than Co-5A, in agreement with the difference of pore sizes of both zeolitic materials. Recycling and control tests showed high durability of Co-MOR as a heterogeneous catalyst in our catalytic system.