Direct propylene epoxidation with oxygen using a photo-electro-heterogeneous catalytic system

Propylene oxide is a crucial feedstock in the plastic industry. The direct epoxidation of propylene using O-2 is considered among the most promising means of producing propylene oxide. Here we report an integrated photo-electro-heterogeneous catalytic system for propylene epoxidation with O-2. Bismuth vanadate (or TiO2) photocatalyst and a Co-based electrocatalyst produces H2O2. A titanium silicalite-1 heterogeneous catalyst subsequently epoxidizes propylene to propylene oxide with the in situ-generated H2O2. The proposed system enables propylene oxide production with O-2 as the sole oxidizing agent under light irradiation without using H-2, a sacrificial agent, or external bias. It stably produces propylene oxide for 24h with high selectivity (>= 98%) under ambient conditions. These results demonstrate the potential of this catalytic system to produce chemical compounds in an environmentally benign manner.

Automated summary

An integrated photo-electro-heterogeneous catalytic system for propylene epoxidation with O-2 is reported in this study, achieving stable production of propylene oxide for 24 hours with high selectivity under light irradiation. This system has the potential to produce chemical compounds in an environmentally benign manner.