Polymer Anchored Catalystsfor Oxidation of StyreneUsing TBHP and Molecular Oxygen.

Catalytic oxidation of styrene was investigated for polymeranchoredCu(II) and Mn(II) complexes prepared by Schiff base tridentate ligand.The effect of different oxidants, tert-butyl hydroperoxide(TBHP) under atmospheric pressure and molecular oxygen (O2) at high pressure in a batch reactor, were studied for maximum conversionof styrene and selectivity of styrene oxide product. The effect ofvarious reaction parameters such as temperature, styrene to TBHP moleratio, and catalyst amount were studied using TBHP as oxidant. Themaximum conversion of styrene (87.3%) was obtained using Cu(II) complex,with maximum selectivity to styrene oxide (76.2%) at styrene to TBHPmole ratio of 1:3, 70 °C, and 25 mg catalyst. The O2oxidant showed maximum conversion of 45.5% at 80 °C and 0.5MPa pressure, with a styrene oxide selectivity of 22.4%. The catalyticactivity was improved to 70.0% by addition of TBHP as initiator duringthe use of O2oxidant. The Cu(II) catalyst showed bettercatalytic activity in comparison to Mn(II) catalyst using both TBHPand O2oxidant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]