Catalytic epoxidation of styrene and methyl oleate over peroxophosphotungstate entrapped in mesoporous SBA-15

A new route for the heterogenization of peroxophosphotungstate species was developed for the epoxidation of olefins such as styrene and methyl oleate with hydrogen peroxide. The polyoxometalate based catalyst was entrapped inside the pores of a mesoporous SBA-15 support thanks to the grafting of octyl groups at the pores entrance allowing their convenient recycling.