Synthesis and characterization of SBA-polyperoxyacid: An efficient heterogeneous solid peroxyacid catalyst for epoxidation of alkenes

SBA-propy-3-allyl-imidazolium chloride (SBA-Im-Allyl) was easily prepared by nucleophilic substitution of SBA-propylchloride (SBA-Cl) with imidazole and then quaternization with allyl chloride. Then, a novel solid polyperoxyacid was synthesized by anchoring and oxidation of polyacrylic acid onto the surface of SBA-Im-Allyl. FT-IR, SEM, TGA–DTG and BET have been used to characterize the solid polyperoxyacid. This new catalyst did not leach from the support and can be recycled by treatment with hydrogen peroxide solution, and also loading of the catalyst was measured by iodometric titration. The solid polyperoxyacid shows efficient catalytic activity toward epoxidation of alkenes.