Recent Investigation on Epoxidation of Styrene with Hydrogen Peroxide by Heterogeneous Catalysis

Abstract Since epoxidation of styrene with H 2 O 2 by heterogeneous catalysis can, with eco‐friendliness and high efficiency, yield original styrene oxide, which is a significant bulk and fine chemical acting as crucial intermediate in wide field including perfume, food industry, UV absorber, epoxy resins thinner, plasticizers, etc., it wins promising prospect and considerable concern. This paper has reviewed the different types of catalysts applied in styrene epoxidation with H 2 O 2 in heterogeneous phase. They are metal nanoparticles, metal oxides nanoparticles, anchored transition metal complexes, heterogeneous polyoxometallates, anchored ionic liquid, microporous and mesoporous materials, layered double hydroxides. This paper has also summarized predecessors’ works from various aspects including preparation of catalyst, catalyst activity, physical and chemical factors relate to catalyst activity, kinetics, reaction mechanism. This paper has exhibited panoptic research situation. It can provide reference for future enhancement on the target reaction and construction of tandem reaction that combines styrene epoxidation with in situ generation of H 2 O 2 from H 2 and O 2 .