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Organocatalyzed styrene epoxidation accelerated by continuous-flow reactor

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Abstract

Considering the low conversion and long reaction time in scaling up reaction in batch reactor, the organocatalyzed epoxidation reaction of styrene was intensified under continuous flow conditions using a commercial fluidic reactor (Corning Advanced Flow G1 Reactor). After investigating the effect of reaction temperature, catalyst amount, MeCN/t-BuOH ratio, FO/FAB (buffer solution amount), total feed flow rate and operating mode on the epoxidation reaction, the optimal reaction conditions were identified under continuous flow conditions. Upon optimization, high conversion and excellent selectivity with short reaction time (3.17 min) can be obtained. We successfully developed a process for the rapid and continuous epoxidation of styrene using an organocatalyst with hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant. Compared with the batch conditions, the continuous flow reactor can exhibit unique advantages including high-speed, safety, continuousness and absence of amplifying effect, which will be significant for the industrial production of epoxides.

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Acknowledgements

Project was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21476049), the Regional Development Project of Fujian Province (2016H4023), the University-Industry Cooperation Project of Fujian Province (2019H6010), the Industrial Technology Joint Innovation Special Project of Fujian Province (FG-2016005) and the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University of Fujian Province (HG2017-17).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Chemical Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, Fujian, China

    Wei-Qiang Yuan, Shou-Quan Zhou, Yu-Yan Jiang & Hui-Dong Zheng

  2. College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, Fujian, China

    Hao-Hong Li

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  1. Wei-Qiang Yuan
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  2. Shou-Quan Zhou
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  3. Yu-Yan Jiang
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  4. Hao-Hong Li
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  5. Hui-Dong Zheng
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Correspondence to Hui-Dong Zheng.

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Research highlights:

1. Continuous-flow conditions were developed and optimized for the epoxidation of styrene.

2. High conversion and excellent selectivity can be obtained under continuous flow conditions.

3. Unique advantages including short reaction time (3.17 min), safety, continuousness and absence of amplifying effect will beneficial for the industrial production of epoxides.

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Yuan, WQ., Zhou, SQ., Jiang, YY. et al. Organocatalyzed styrene epoxidation accelerated by continuous-flow reactor. J Flow Chem 10, 227–234 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41981-019-00065-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41981-019-00065-6

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