Immobilized Polyoxomolybdate Nanoclusters on Functionalized SBA-15: Green Access to Efficient and Recyclable Nanocatalyst for the Epoxidation of Alkenes

A heterogeneous nanocatalyst containing polyoxomolybdate immobilized on the internal surface of amino-functionalized SBA-15 pores was prepared and fully characterized by several analytical techniques. The textural property of supported material was found to retain important mesoporous features, compatible with its potential use as heterogeneous catalysts. The catalyst SBA-15-NH3+center dot{Mo-36}(-)shows excellent catalytic activity for the epoxidation of alkenes as compared to POM, which is attributed to the large specific surface area and highly ordered pore structure of SBA-15, allowing for easy access of reactants to the active sites and removal of products. The prepared catalyst has high recyclability performance without obvious loss of activity after six runs of epoxidation.