MgO/SnO2/WO3 as catalysts for synthesis of ε-caprolactone over oxidation of cyclohexanone with peracetic acid

•MgO/SnO2/WO3 catalysts were prepared by precipitation method.•NH3·H2O, Na2CO3, NaHCO3, NaOH, and (NH4)2CO3 were used as precipitants.•All metals were incorporated into the structure as confirmed by the XRD patterns.•The Baeyer–Villiger oxidation was used to test the activity of catalysts.•The catalyst precipitated from NH3·H2O showed the highest yield of ε-caprolactone.

Different Mg/Sn/W mixed oxides prepared by precipitation were used as catalysts in the Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of cyclohexanone with a mixture of 50% hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid as oxidant. The Mg/Sn/W oxide obtained by precipitation from NH3·H2O was found to be the catalyst providing the highest yield of ε-caprolactone and initial catalytic activity among all samples.

Graphical abstractMgO/SnO2/WO3 catalysts which were respectively precipitated from NH3·H2O (1#), Na2CO3 (2#), NaHCO3 (3#), NaOH (4#), and (NH4)2CO3 (5#) were tested in the Baeyer–Villiger (BV) oxidation of cyclohexanone with peracetic acid, and the catalyst which precipitated from NH3·H2O showed the highest yield of ε-caprolactone of 86% and the highest conversion of cyclohexanone of 91%.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide