Direct propylene epoxidation with oxygen using a photo-electro-heterogeneous catalytic system

Propylene oxide is a crucial feedstock in the plastic industry. The direct epoxidation of propylene using O2 considered among most promising means producing oxide. Here we report an integrated photo-electro-heterogeneous catalytic system for with O2. Bismuth vanadate (or TiO2) photocatalyst and Co-based electrocatalyst produces H2O2. A titanium silicalite-1 heterogeneous catalyst subsequently epoxidizes to situ-generated proposed enables production as sole oxidizing agent under light irradiation without H2, sacrificial agent, or external bias. It stably 24 h high selectivity (≥98%) ambient conditions. These results demonstrate potential this produce chemical compounds environmentally benign manner. Aerobic oxidation green route need harmful wasteful reagents. Here, proof-of-concept performs reaction