Synthesis of tetradentate N4 Schiff base dioxomolybdenum (VI) complex within MCM-41 as selective catalyst for epoxidation of olefins

Covalent grafting of MCM-41 with 3-chloropropyl trimethoxysilane and subsequent reactions respectively with pypr [N,N′-bis(2-pyrrolmethylidenaminopropyl)amine] and complexation with MoO2(acac)2 afforded MoO2pyprMCM-41. X-ray diffraction and nitrogen sorption analyses revealed the preservation of the textural properties of the support as well as accessibility of the channel system despite sequential reduction in surface area, pore volume and pore size. Elemental analyses showed nearly complete complexation of the supported ligands and the presence of 0.24 mmol molybdenum per gram of the catalyst. Epoxidation of cyclooctene, cyclohexene, 1-hexene and 1-octene in the presence of MoO2pyprMCM-41 with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) were carried out with 21–98% conversion under the mild reaction conditions.