Surface science and the advancement of direct olefin epoxidation - A perspective on the article, "Partial oxidation of higher olefins on Ag(111) and Ag(110): Conversion of styrene to styrene oxide, benzene, and benzoic acid", by Andreas Must and Robert J. Madix Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • The direct epoxidation of olefins in the presence of catalysts by controlling the speciation of surface oxametallacycle intermediates was analyzed. The reaction involved oxygen addition without bond breaking or rearrangement in the organic state and included a variety of solids, metals, and metal oxides. Oxidation of organic molecules with more atoms and electrons than CO, introduced the additional complexity of reaction selectivity. A significant aspect involved the recognition of surface oxametallacycles as the central intermediate in olefin epoxidation. The concept has led to the demonstration of new bimetallic ethylene epoxidation catalyst designed to inhibit side reactions of oxametallacycles. DFT calculations have indicated that ethylene epoxidation can proceed through surface oxametallacycles on catalysts at low oxygen coverages and on the oxidized catalyst surfaces.

published proceedings

  • SURFACE SCIENCE

author list (cited authors)

  • Barteau, M. A.

citation count

  • 11

complete list of authors

  • Barteau, Mark A

publication date

  • December 2006