Titanium-containing desilicated MCM-41 with bimodal pore system as green epoxidation catalyst

A novel strategy on the preparation of titanium-containing desilicated MCM-41 with a bimodal mesoporosity system has been developed by controlled alkaline treatment of MCM-41 followed with a post-titanation route. Characterization results revealed that secondary larger mesopores were mixed with the small framework mesopores, leading to an interconnected pore system, and that tetrahedral Ti species were successfully incorporated in the framework. Compared with Ti-MCM-41, the bimodal material showed higher turnover numbers based on the epoxidation conversions of various bulky alkenes. Higher site accessibility due to the secondary larger mesopores in the bimodal pore system is responsible for the noteworthy catalytic improvement. •Bimodal mesoporous Ti-MCM-41 prepared by controlled alkaline treatment of MCM-41 followed with a post-titanation route.•More accessible Ti species in the bimodal mesoporous Ti-MCM-41 via the secondary intraparticle mesopores.