Dioxomolybdenum( VI) complex covalently attached to amino-modified graphene oxide: heterogeneous catalyst for the epoxidation of alkenes

Transition metal salen complex MoO2-salen was successfully tethered onto amino-functionalized graphene oxide (designated as MoO2-salen-GO), which was tested in the epoxidation of various alkenes using tert-butylhydroperoxide or H2O2 as oxidant. Characterization results showed that dioxomolybdenum(VI) complex was successfully grafted onto the amino-functionalized graphene oxide and the structure of the graphene oxide was well preserved after several stepwise synthesis procedures. Catalytic tests showed that heterogeneous catalyst MoO2-salen-GO was more active than its homogeneous analogue MoO2-salen in the epoxidation of cyclooctene due to site isolation. In addition, the MoO2-salen-GO catalyst could be reused three times without significant loss of activity. Copyright (c) 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.