Preparation of Epoxyphenylethane from Styrene by Air Oxidation

Epoxyphenylethane was synthesized using styrene as raw material, self-made Co-LaX as catalyst, oxygen as oxidant and dimethylsulfoxide as solvent. The effects of reaction temperature and time, the amount of catalyst, and the flow rate of oxygen on the reaction of styrene epoxidation were investigated in detail.The optimal conditions were as follows: reaction at 100℃ for 6h, the mass ratio of Co-LaX to styrene was 0.15:1, the volume ratio of oxygen to styrene was 1.4:1 min-1.Under these conditions. the conversion of styrene was as high as 64.5%, and the selectivity of epoxyphenylethane was 59.3%.