Pre-constructed multi-peroxotungstic centers for highly efficient and recyclable organophosphorus-tungstic catalysts in styrene epoxidation

Styrene epoxide is an important organic intermediate with broad market prospects. Herein, novel homogeneous catalysts bearing pre-constructed diperoxotungstic centers were used in styrene epoxidation. With the increase of diperoxotungstic centers from 2 to 4, the styrene epoxide selectivity increased from 92.80% to 95.5%, the highest activity achieved to date in styrene epoxidation. Notably, the good recyclability of these catalysts helps overcome a key limitation of homogeneous catalysts in this field.