Direct hydrothermal synthesis of Mo-containing MFI zeolites using Mo-EDTA complex and their catalytic application in cyclohexene epoxidation

A series of Mo-containing MFI zeolites with different Mo loadings (Mo-MFI-n, n represent the initial Si/Mo molar ratio) was hydrothermally synthesized by using tetrapropylammonium hydroxide as template and Mo-EDTA complex source. Various characterization results demonstrated that use is beneficial for incorporation more species into MFI-type zeolites. The special complexing capability EDTA2– plays a critical role in adjusting release rate to combine Si tetrahedron during zeolite growth process, thus leading uniform distribution framework. In addition, small portion extra-framework clusters may be distributed inside channels or near pore window catalytic properties these were evaluated epoxidation cyclohexene H2O2 oxidant. composition-optimized catalyst, Mo-MFI-50, efficiently converted corresponding epoxide relatively high conversion (93%) selectivity (82%) at 75 °C after 9 h reaction. Moreover, resultant catalyst exhibited excellent structural stability recoverability easily recycled simple filtration without need calcination treatment.