Preparation of encapsulated Co(Salprn) complex in zeolite Y and its catalytic performance for the epoxidation of alkenes

Cobalt complex of N,N′-bis(salicylidene) propane-1,3-diamine(Co(Salprn)) was encapsulated in the supercages of zeolite Y by the flexible ligand method.The encapsulated sample [Co(Salprn)]-Y was characterized by X-ray diffraction,UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy,infrared spectroscopy as well as differential-thermal analysis techniques.Its catalytic performance for the epoxidation of alkenes was investigated.The results indicted that the encapsulation does not have strong influence on the framework structure of zeolitic host and [Co(Salprn)]-Y prepared exhibits much higher catalytic activity than the neat Co(Salprn) complex in the epoxidation of styrene.The catalytic performance of [Co(Salprn)]-Y is affected significantly by the reaction conditions.Moreover,[Co(Salprn)]-Y is also catalytically active for the epoxidation of a variety of other alkenes;its activity decreases in the order of styrene cyclohexene cyclooctene 1-octene.