Optimization of mesoporous titanosilicate catalysts for cyclohexene epoxidation via statistically guided synthesis

An efficient approach to improve the catalytic activity of titanosilicates is introduced. The Doehlert matrix (DM) statistical model was utilized to probe the synthetic parameters of mesoporous titanosilicate microspheres (MTSM), in order to increase their catalytic activity with a minimal number of experiments. Synthesis optimization was carried out by varying two parameters simultaneously: homogenizing temperature and surfactant weight. Thirteen different MTSM samples were synthesized in two sequential ‘matrices’ according to Doehlert conditions and were used to catalyse the epoxidation of cyclohexene with tert-butyl hydroperoxide. The samples (and the corresponding synthesis conditions) with superior catalytic activity in terms of product yield and selectivity were identified. In addition, this approach revealed the limiting values of each synthesis parameter, beyond which the material becomes catalytically ineffective. This study demonstrates that the DM approach can be broadly used as a powerful and time-efficient tool for investigating the optimal synthesis conditions of heterogeneous catalysts. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s10853-018-2057-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.