Optimisation of gas phase deposition of titanium on mesoporous silica SBA15: active site counting and catalytic activity in cyclohexene epoxidation Original Research Article

New structured mesoporous catalysts TiSBA15 were synthesised by grafting titanium atoms on the pore surface of various SBA15 materials by means of titanium tetrachloride in the gas phase. Site counting allowed us to optimise the experimental conditions in order to get the best selectivity and reactivity in the epoxidation of alkenes by various hydroperoxides in mild conditions (343–353 K). The silica based materials lead, in any case, to the selective formation of the epoxides with a high level of conversion over four catalytic runs.