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

Abstract

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 © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.