Direct propylene epoxidation with molecular oxygen over titanosilicate zeolites

The direct epoxidation of propylene with molecular oxygen represents a desired route for propylene oxide (PO) production with 100% theoretical atomic economy. However, this aerobic epoxidation reaction suffers from the apparent trade-off between propylene conversion and PO selectivity, and remains a key challenge in catalysis. We report that Ti-Beta zeolites containing isolated framework Ti species can efficiently catalyze the aerobic epoxidation of propylene. Stable propylene conversion of 25% and PO selectivity of up to 90% are achieved at the same time, matching the levels of industrial ethylene aerobic epoxidation processes. H-terminated pentacoordinated Ti species in Beta zeolite frameworks are identified as the preferred active sites for propylene aerobic epoxidation and the reaction is initiated by the participation of lattice oxygen in Ti-OH. These results are expected to spark new technology for the industrial production of PO toward more sustainable chemistry and chemical engineering.