Direct Epoxidation of Propylene over Stabilized Cu+ Surface Sites on Titanium-Modified Cu2O

Direct propylene epoxidation by O2 is a challenging reaction because of the strong tendency for complete combustion. Results from the current study demonstrate that by generating highly dispersed and stabilized Cu+ active sites in a TiCuOx mixed oxide the epoxidation selectivity can be tuned. The TiCuOx surface anchors the key surface intermediate, an oxametallacycle, leading to higher selectivity for epoxidation of propylene. Ti‐ed up: Cu+ active sites on a Cu2O surface can be stabilized with TiOx by forming a mixed oxide, TiCuOx. The basicity of the surface‐bound oxygen atoms thus decreases which inhibits combustion and promotes the formation of an oxametallacycle intermediate with propylene leading to higher selectivity for propylene epoxidation.