Epoxidation of propylene by using [π-C5H5NC16H33]3[PW4O16] as catalyst and with hydrogen peroxide generated by 2-ethylanthrahydroquinone and molecular oxygen

The epoxidation of propylene catalyzed by a reaction-controlled phase transfer catalyst π-C₅H₅NC₁₆H₃₃]₃PW₄O₁₆] is investigated. The H₂O₂ is generated by the oxidation of 2-ethylanthrahydroquinone (EAHQ) with molecular oxygen in the organic solvent. Under mild conditions, the selectivity for propylene oxide, based on propylene, is 95%, and the yield, based on 2-ethylanthrahydroquinone, is 85%. During the epoxidation, the catalytic system is homogeneous. However, after the H₂O₂ is used up, the catalyst can be recovered as a precipitate and can be reused. After the epoxidation reaction, 2-ethylanthraquinone can be regenerated to 2-ethylanthrahydroquinone by catalytic hydrogenation, and no coproduct is produced.