Catalyst and process for the epoxidation of olefinic compounds

Abstract

A catalyst composition having high epoxidation activity and resistant to leaching of its metal comprises molybdenum, vanadium, tungsten and/or titanium complexed to an organic or inorganic support through the intermediacy of an imidazole ligand. The catalyst may be used in epoxidation of olefinic compounds.

Description

This invention relates to a catalyst and process for the epoxidation of olefinic compounds.

Epoxidation of olefinic compounds is a well known process which is operated industrially. For example the epoxidation of propylene to propylene oxide using alkyl hydroperoxide is known to be catalysed by a soluble molybdenum catalyst and by a heterogeneous titanium/silica catalyst.

Sherrington and Simpson describe in Journal of Catalysis 131 15-126 (1991) polymer-supported molybdenum and vanadium cyclohexene epoxidation catalysts in which the metals are bound through a hydroxypropylated aminomethylpyridine ligand.

However, there remains a need for an improved heterogeneous epoxidation catalyst.

Thus, according to the present invention there is provided a catalyst composition comprising molybdenum, vanadium, tungsten and/or titanium complexed to an organic or inorganic support through the intermediacy of an imidazole ligand.

Also, according to the present invention there is provided a process for the epoxidation of olefinic compounds which process comprises reacting the olefinic compound with a peroxide in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising molybdenum, vanadium, tungsten and/or titanium complexed to an organic or inorganic support through the intermediacy of an imidazole ligand.

The present invention provides a novel catalyst which has high epoxidation activity and is resistant to leaching of its metal in use.

The catalyst composition according to the present invention preferably comprises molybdenum, vanadium and/or tungsten, most preferably molybdenum. More than one metal may be present in the catalyst composition.

The imidazole ligand may comprise unsubstituted imidazole or a substituted imidazole such as 2-pyridyl-2-imidazole, benzimidazole, 5-benzimidazole carboxylic acid and hydroxy substituted imidazoles and benzimidazoles. The imidazole ligand may be attached to the support through any part of the imidazole or substituted imidazole ligand provided that the imidazole ring is available for complexing to the metal of the catalyst. The imidazole ligand may comprise part of the support rather than being pendant thereto; for example, the imidazole may comprise part of a polymer repeating unit. A preferred class of polymers for use in the catalyst of the present invention which have an imidazole ligand as part of their polymer support repeating unit are polybenzimidazoles and in particular poly[2,2'(m-phenylene)-5,5'-benzimidazole] which is a polymer having a repeating unit represented by the formula (I): ##STR1##

Suitably, the ligand loading in the catalyst composition is in the range 0.1 to 5 mmol g.sup.-1 preferably 0.25 to 2.5 mmol g.sup.-1 and the metal loading in the catalyst composition is suitably in the range 0.1 to 10 mmol g.sup.-1 preferably, 0.1 to 5 mmol g.sup.-1. Preferably, the ligand:metal molar ratio is in the range 1:1 to 15:1, more preferably 1:1 to 10:1.

The organic support may be any suitable polymer and in particular one which is stable under the conditions of use of the catalyst composition. Suitable polymer supports comprise styrene polymers, methacryate polymers, glycidyl methacrylate polymers, benzimidazole polymers, polyimides, polybenzothiazoles, polybenzoxazoles and the like, optionally copolymers with suitable comonomers and optionally cross-linked. The support may comprise a functionalised inorganic support such as functionalised silica or alumina. Preferably the support comprises a polybenzimidazole.

The catalyst composition according to the present invention may be prepared by effecting a ligand exchange reaction between an organometallic complex of molybdenum, vanadium, tungsten or titanium having a suitable leaving group with a support having imidazole ligands.

Pendant imidazole ligands may be attached to a support by functionalisation of the support by methods known in the art. Thus for example, a styrene polymer with, for example, a reactive halide substituent may be reacted with a suitable nucleophile such as an amine-substituted imidazole to attach the imidazole to the styrene polymer support. Similarly, a lithiated polystyrene may be reacted with an electrophilic imidazole to attach the imidazole ligand to the polystyrene support. A polymer support comprising glycidyl methacrylate polymer may be reacted with either an electrophilic or nucleophilic imidazole to attach the imidazole ligand thereto. Where the support is inorganic such as silica that may be functionalised with chloromethyl pyridine by methods known in the art and thereafter reacted with an electrophilic imidazole. Suitable preparation procedures are described for example by Sherrington, D. C. and Hodge, P. in "Polymer Supported Reactions in Organic Synthesis" J Wiley Chichester (1980).

When the support comprises a polymer having an imidazole as part of its repeating unit, the support may be prepared by polymerisation of suitable monomers. For example polybenzimidazoles may be prepared by condensation of tetraamino compounds with diacids. See for example "Thermally Stable Polymers" by P. E. Cassidy and Marcel Dekker, New York (1980).

In the process of the present invention the catalyst may be activated before use by oxidising it with a suitable peroxide. The catalyst may also be activated `in situ` by reaction with peroxide reactant.

The olefinic compound for use in the process of the present invention may be any organic olefinic compound having at least one olefinic double bond. The olefinic compound may be straight-chain, branched-chain or cyclic. The olefinic compound may be acyclic, monocyclic, bicylic or polycyclic. The olefinic compound may be mono-olefinic, di-olefinic or polyolefinic. If more than one olefinic bond is present, the olefinic compound may be conjugated or non-conjugated. The olefinic compound may be substituted by an allylic hydroxyl, chloride, ether and/or ester group. The olefinic compound may be a vinyl ester, phenyl or nitrile compound. If substituted by electron-withdrawing groups for example nitrile, such groups should not be substituted directly on the olefinic double bond but should be remote therefrom. Preferably, any substituents are electron-donating. Preferably, the olefinic compound has the general formula (II):

R--CH=CH--R' (II) where R and R' are the same or different and are independently hydrogen; hydrocarbyl groups, for example alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, cycloalkyl or alkylcycloalkyl groups; substituted hydrocarbyl groups or together from a cyclic hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl group. Suitably R and R' each have less than 30 carbon atoms. R and R' may together form a cycloalkyl or alkylcycloalkyl group suitably having less than 10 carbon atoms. One or both of the R and R' may independently have allylic hydroxyl,chloride, ether and/or ester substituent groups. One or both of R and R' may independently have vinyl ester, nitrile and/or phenyl substituent groups, but having regard to the above comments on electron withdrawing substituents.

Suitable olefinic compounds for use in the present invention may comprise one or more of ethylene, propylene, butenes, for example butene-1, cis or trans butene-2, pentenes, hexenes, octenes, decenes, cyclohexene, 4-vinyl-cyclohexene, unsaturated glycerin esters, allyl choride, styrene, methylene cyclohexane, cyclopentadiene and butadiene. A mixture of olefins may be used. The olefin may be used with minor amounts of impurities such as are known in the art, for example alkanes, aromatics, alcohols, ethers and acids but preferably, such impurities are inert to the reaction.

In the process of the present invention the peroxide may be any suitable source of peroxide, for example hydrogen peroxide, an organic hydroperoxide for example an alkyl hydroperoxide, a peroxide ether or a peracid. Preferably the peroxide is tert-butyl hydroperoxide, cumene hydroperoxide, ethylbenzene hydroperoxide or hydrogen peroxide.

The process of the present invention is particularly applicable to the epoxidation of propylene by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) in the presence of low concentrations of tert-butyl alcohol (TBA); the TBHP and TBA being the product of isobutane oxidation and the TBA then being convertible to methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE).

The process of the present invention may be performed in neat liquid reagents or a solvent may be used such as an aromatic, aliphatic, alcohol, alkane, ester, ketone or halogenated solvent with solvents such as 1,2 dichloromethane and toluene being preferred over t-butanol and methanol. Water can only be tolerated in small quantities and is preferably absent.

The process of the present invention may be performed at atmospheric or elevated pressure. Preferably, the process is performed at elevated pressure to maintain a suitable concentration of the olefinic compound in the liquid reaction medium if the olefinic compound is a gas at atmospheric pressure. A gas which is inert to the process such as nitrogen, helium, air or alkane may be used to maintain the elevated pressure. Suitably the operating pressure for the epoxidation of propylene is in the range atmospheric to 100 bar.

The process of the present invention may be performed at any suitable temperature depending upon the reagents used. Preferably, the process of the present invention is performed at a temperature in the range 20.degree. to 500.degree. C. Catalysts according to the present invention comprising molybdenum complexed to polybenzimidazole have shown high temperature stability up to 400.degree. C. The process of the present invention may be performed as a batch or as a continuous process, preferably as a continuous process.

The molar ratio of peroxide to olefin may suitably be in the range 1:0.5 to 1:100 typically about 1:1 to 1:50. The molar ratio of catalyst to peroxide may be in the range 0.00001:1 to 1:1 typically about 0.002:1 to 0.03:1.

The invention will now be illustrated with reference to the following examples.

PREPARATION OF CATALYST COMPOSITION (PBI. MO CATALYST)

Example 1

A catalyst composition according to the present invention comprising molybdenum complexed to a polybenzimidole microporous resin (PBI. Mo) was prepared in the following procedure.

10 g of wet polybenzimidizole microporous resin beads, AUROREZ (trade mark, Hoechst-Celanese) was stirred with 1N sodium hydroxide solution overnight, washed with deionised water until pH=7, washed with acetone and then dried in vacuo at 40.degree.. The nitrogen content of the resin was then determined by microanalysis to be 15.15%, which, given that there are four nitrogen atoms in each polymer repeating unit, gives a repeating unit concentration of 2.71 mmolg.sup.-1.

The resin was then refluxed in toluene for 72 hours with molybdenum acetyl acetonate MoO.sub.2 (acac).sub.2 at a molar ratio of organometallic complex:functional ligand of the resin of 2:1. Since for PBI there are two ligands per repeating unit, the ratio of organometallic complex: repeating unit of PBI was 4:1. The mother liquor turned blue. The resulting catalyst composition was then washed, with acetone using a Soxhlet extraction apparatus for approximately 48 hours. The resulting catalyst composition was dark blue with a few yellow beads dispersed throughout the resin.

The molybdenum content of the catalyst composition was determined by grinding the material, treating with aqua regia and making up the resultant solution with water before analysis using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The catalyst composition was found to have a metal loading of 1.88 mmol g.sup.-1. (In another preparation the metal loading was 3.24 mmolg.sup.-1). In use, the amount of catalyst used was adjusted to give a constant metal concentration in the reaction mixture. The ligand loading for the PBI.Mo catalyst was calculated to be (1-weight molybdenum per gram).times.ligand loading of the PBI resin=2.22 molg.sup.-1 that is a ligand: metal ratio of 1.18:1.

The catalyst composition was activated prior to use in some experiments by refluxing a weighed amount of catalyst (containing 0.06 mmol molybdenum) with 5 mmol tetra-butyl hydroperoxide (1.3-1.4 ml solution prepared as hereinafter described) in 25 ml 1,2 chloroethane for a predetermined period. During activation the catalyst composition turned a yellow colour. When not in use, the activated catalyst compositions were stored in 5 mmol tert-butyl hydroperoxide (1.3-1.4 ml solution) and 10 ml dichloroethane.

EPOXIDATION OF CYCLOHEXENE

Epoxidation reactions were performed at 80.degree. C. using the molybenum-loaded polybenzimidazole catalyst composition (PBI.Mo) previously prepared.

The peroxide used in the Experiments was an anhydrous solution of tert-butyl hydroperoxide in toluene which was prepared by swirling (to avoid formation of an emulsion) together 65 ml tert-butyl hydroperoxide-70 and 80 ml toluene in a 200 ml separating funnel. The aqueous layer (15 ml) was discarded and the organic layer (130 ml) was refluxed in a 250 ml flask fitted with a Dean-Stark trap for approximately 1 hour, during which 4 ml water was collected and discarded. Then a drying tube was fitted and a further 4 ml of distillate removed through a side arm. The remaining anhydrous solution (122 ml) was cooled and stored for use over 4 A molecular sieve. The molarity of the tert-butyl hydroperoxide solution was determined by iodiometry.

A 25 ml round-bottomed flask was used for the epoxidation reaction experiments, fitted with a reflux condenser and a water jacket connected to a temperature-controlled water recirculation bath to enable efficient and accurate temperature control.

In a typical epoxidation reaction approximately 0.2 g (0.06 mmol molybdenum) of the catalyst composition (PBI.Mo), 8.4 ml of the olefin (0.083 mol cyclohexene). 0.2-0.3 ml 1,2 dichloroethane and 0.5 ml bromobenzene (internal standard for the gas chromatographic analysis of the reaction product) were all placed in the reaction vessel and allowed to equilibrate thermally (80.degree. C.) for about 20 minutes. 5 mmol tert-butyl hydroperoxide (1.3-1.4 ml solution) was then added and the reaction was monitored by periodically withdrawing 1 microliter of the reaction mixture and injecting it onto a gas chromatograph to analyse the cyclohexene oxide concentration. A J&W Scientific DB-5 capillary column (30 m, internal diameter 0.32 mm, 1.0 micrometer thickness) was used with hydrogen carrier gas at 38 ml/min (40 kPa) and an oven temperature program of 100.degree. C. (1 minute) then increasing to 120.degree. C. at 40.degree. C./minute. Each epoxidation was performed for a period of 4 hours. The yields of cyclohexene oxide were calculated as amount of cyclohexene oxide produced divided by the amount of tert-butyl hydroperoxide charged, expressed as a percentage.

To determine the amount of metal leached from the resin during the course of the reaction, at the end of the reaction the catalyst composition was filtered off and washed thoroughly, together with the reaction vessel, with 1,2 dichloroethane, the reaction composition and combined washings being placed in a rotary evaporator to remove the solvent and leave a yellow residue. This residue was treated with aqua regia (15 ml) for 48 hours before being diluted with water and analysed by atomic absorption spectroscopy.

Example 2

The yields of cyclohexene oxide for reactions at 80.degree. C. using a catalyst composition which had not been activated and one which had been activated for 4 hours are given in Table 1.

TABLE 1______________________________________Example 2Reaction Time Yield of cyclohexene oxide (%)(Minutes) Unactivated 4 hour Activated______________________________________ 20 60.6 79.6 40 92.3 92.2 60 97.1 96.0 80 98.8 97.0100 100 98.0120 99.9 97.8180 98.7 99.5240 98.3 99.2______________________________________

Examples 3 to 6

A series of experiments was performed under the same conditions as Experiment 2 in which a PBI.Mo catalyst composition was re-used for up to ten reaction runs with the yields of cyclohexene oxide being monitored for alternate runs and metal leaching being monitored for each run. The catalyst was stored between runs in 5 mmol tert-butyl hydroperoxide/1,2 dichloroethane solution. The series was repeated for a catalyst composition which had not been activated (Example 3) and for catalyst compositions which had been activated for 4, 24 and 48 hours (Examples 4 to 6 respectively). The results are shown in Tables 2 to 6. These results show that increasing activation time for the catalyst results in an improvement in the re-usability of the catalyst such that with 48 hours activation, the catalyst shows an approximately constant final product yield over the last five reaction runs.

Whilst the 24 and 48 activated catalyst compositions show a high initial leaching of molybdenum, the leaching falls to zero after the third reaction run.

TABLE 2______________________________________Epoxidation using unactivated PBI.Mo catalystExample 3Reaction Time Yield of cyclohexene oxide(Minutes) Run 1 Run 3 Run 5 Run 7 Run 9______________________________________ 20 15.7 2.4 0 0 0 40 56.2 6.6 0 0 0 60 77.4 18.6 0 1.4 0 80 90.2 35.4 1.9 4.3 0100 95.9 50.3 9.8 9.7 0120 96.8 64.7 20.2 10.8 0180 100 92.9 40.5 49.8 1.0240 99.3 100 72.6 82.7 1.9______________________________________ TABLE 3______________________________________Epoxidation using 4 hour activated PBI.Mo catalystExample 4Reaction Time Yield of cyclohexene oxide(Minutes) Run 1 Run 3 Run 5 Run 7 Run 9______________________________________ 20 79.6 48.5 0 0 0 40 92.2 63.0 2.2 2.4 2.1 60 96.0 79.1 3.5 3.7 2.2 80 97.1 83.9 4.6 4.5 2.7100 98.0 91.2 8.6 6.9 4.4120 97.8 97.9 24.6 15.7 5.3180 99.5 99.9 78.0 68.1 10.4240 99.2 99.1 96.1 92.8 44.4______________________________________ TABLE 4______________________________________Epoxidation using 24 hour activated PBI.Mo catalystExample 5Reaction Time Yield of cyclohexene oxide(Minutes) Run 1 Run 3 Run 5 Run 7 Run 9______________________________________ 20 33.6 44.7 8.8 6.8 19.4 40 30.8 52.4 10.6 7.0 19.2 60 55.4 65.5 18.6 8.7 19.8 80 72.8 74.0 34.1 8.8 19.2100 79.1 86.7 52.8 11.2 23.5120 86.1 87.1 69.6 14.9 23180 96.8 100 87.5 27.5 34240 100 95.3 84.8 53.2 46______________________________________ TABLE 5______________________________________Epoxidation using 48 hour activated PBI.Mo catalystExample 6Reaction Time Yield of cyclohexene oxide(Minutes) Run 1 Run 3 Run 5 Run 7 Run 9______________________________________ 20 65.0 38.3 7.1 10.9 23.6 40 82.8 52.6 8.0 8.7 23.4 60 94.5 62.7 10.4 13.7 30.0 80 96.5 73.2 16.1 13.7 42.4100 100 76.0 29.1 20.9 51.6120 99.3 79.9 46.3 30.2 58.6180 98.2 100 76.7 61.3 81.5240 93.9 85.7 100 94.5 94.0______________________________________ TABLE 6__________________________________________________________________________Metal Leaching data for epoxidations using PBI.Mo catalystsExamples 3 to 6 4 hour 24 hour 48 hourUnactivated Activated Activated ActivatedCatalyst Catalyst Catalyst Catalyst Mo Mo Mo Mo Leached Leached Leached Leached (.times. 10.sup.-3 % Mo (.times. 10.sup.-3 % Mo (.times. 10.sup.-3 % Mo (.times. 10.sup.-3 % MoRun mmol) Leached mmol) Leached mmol) Leached mmol) Leached__________________________________________________________________________1 -- 0 1.563 2.6 3.127 5.2 2.606 4.32 -- 0 1.563 2.6 1.042 1.7 0.521 0.93 -- 0 1.563 2.6 -- 0 -- 04 -- 0 0.782 1.3 -- 0 -- 05 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 06 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 07 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 08 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 09 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 010 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0__________________________________________________________________________

Example 7 and 8

A series of reaction runs was performed at different reaction temperatures for a PBI.Mo catalyst composition which had not been activated and for a PBI.Mo catalyst which had been activated for 4 hours. The results are shown in Tables 7 and 8.

TABLE 7______________________________________Temperature dependence of epoxidationusing unactivated PBI.Mo catalystExample 7Reaction Time Yield of cyclohexene oxide(Minutes) 50.degree. C. 60.degree. C. 70.degree. C. 80.degree. C. 90.degree. C.______________________________________ 20 23.4 44.9 71.2 60.6 99.7 40 43.6 61.2 88.4 92.3 100 60 47.3 72.9 95.6 97.1 99.2 80 58.4 79.9 97.5 98.8 99.2100 64.1 87.9 98.8 100 97.3120 68.3 91.7 100 99.9 99.1180 77.0 98.6 100 98.7 97.0240 83.0 100 99.8 98.3 95.8______________________________________ TABLE 8______________________________________Temperature dedendence of epoxidationusing 4 hour activated PBI.Mo catalystExample 8Reaction Time Yield of cyclohexene oxide(Minutes) 50.degree. C. 60.degree. C. 70.degree. C. 80.degree. C. 90.degree. C.______________________________________ 20 2.1 8.3 38.1 79.6 89.9 40 3.4 7.3 77.2 92.2 99.4 60 2.9 26.6 89.0 96.0 100 80 7.9 46.9 95.6 97.0 99.1100 22.9 59.2 96.8 98.0 99.2120 38.5 68.7 97.9 97.8 99.1180 57.3 81.7 98.3 99.5 98.0240 70.9 89.9 99.9 99.2 98.5______________________________________

Comparative Experiment A

A comparative series of experiments was performed using molybdenum actylacetonate MoO.sub.2 (acac).sub.2 equivalent to 0.06 mmol Mo in place of the catalyst composition prepared as hereinbefore described at different temperatures. The results are shown in Table 9.

TABLE 9______________________________________Temperature dependence of epoxidationusing homogeneous MoO.sub.2 (acac).sub.2 catalystComparative Experiment AReaction Time Yield of cyclohexene oxide (%)(Minutes) 50.degree. C. 60.degree. C. 70.degree. C. 80.degree. C. 90.degree. C.______________________________________ 20 44.1 52.1 77.8 87.8 99.0 40 59.7 67.6 84.9 91.7 99.2 60 69.7 77.3 88.2 90.9 98.3 80 75.3 82.7 89.4 92.0 100100 79.6 87.6 91.9 97.4 97.4120 84.0 91.2 92.7 97.9 96.3180 91.1 96.1 96.0 92.9 97.6240 95.6 100 100 100 96.0______________________________________

Epoxidation of Oct-1-ene

Oct-1-ene was epoxidised using the same apparatus and experimental procedures as were used for epoxidation of cyclohexene.

The experiments were performed with the following reaction composition:

53.5 mmol oct-1-ene

0.06 mmol molybdenum (weight equivalent of catalyst)

5 mmol tert-butyl hydroperoxide

0.5 ml bromobenzene

1,2 dichloroethane solvent to total value of 10.5 ml.

Reaction temperature was 80.degree. C. except when the effect of temperature was studied.

Reaction time was 4 hours.

Products analysed by GLC as before.

Comparative Experiment B

Oct-1-ene was epoxidised using a homogeneous MoO.sub.2 (acac).sub.2 catalyst as described above. The yields of epoxyoctane are given in Table 10. This is not an example according to the present invention.

TABLE 10______________________________________Epoxidation of Oct-1-eneusing homogeneous MoO.sub.2 (acac).sub.2 catalyst at 80.degree. C.Comparative Experiment BReaction Time Yield of epoxyoctane(Minutes) (%)______________________________________ 20 88.0 40 90.0 60 94.0 80 98.0100 100.0120 100.0180 100.0240 100.0______________________________________

Example 9

Example 8 was repeated using oct-1-ene and a PBI.Mo catalyst which had been activated for 4 hour as previously described. The results are shown in Table 11 and show the heterogeneous catalyst to be nearly as effective as the homogeneous catalyst.

TABLE 11______________________________________Epoxidation of Oct-1-ene usingPBI.Mo Catalyst at various temperaturesExample 9Reaction Time Yield of cyclohexene oxide(Minutes) 60.degree. C. 70.degree. C. 80.degree. C. 90.degree. C.______________________________________ 20 22.0 11.8 65.0 67.8 40 34.0 31.2 77.4 84.0 60 39.6 41.8 81.2 84.0 80 45.2 47.4 88.0 98.0100 53.0 57.0 81.2 100.0120 56.0 64.8 85.6 100.0180 60.0 74.4 88.0 100.0240 67.6 78.4 99.6 100.0______________________________________

Example 10

Example 9 was repeated at 80.degree. C. and 90.degree. C. using PBI.Mo catalysts which had been activated for 24 hours. The results are shown in Table 12, together with the corresponding results for 4 hour activated catalyst from Example 9.

TABLE 12______________________________________Epoxidation of Oct-1-ene usingPBI.Mo Catalyst with different activation conditionsExample 10Reaction Yield of cyclohexene oxideTime 80.degree. C. 90.degree. C.(Minutes) 4 hr Activ. 24 hr Activ 4 hr Activ. 24 hr Activ.______________________________________ 20 65.0 30.6 67.8 61.0 40 77.4 39.0 84.0 84.0 60 81.2 56.0 84.0 79.0 80 88.0 68.4 98.0 88.0100 81.2 74.0 100.0 100.0120 85.6 77.0 100.0 100.0180 88.0 92.4 100.0 100.0240 99.6 100.0 100.0 100.0______________________________________

Epoxidation of Propylene

Propylene was epoxidised in a 50 ml stainless steel Parr autoclave fitted with a mechanical stirrer and a temperature controller at 400 psig. The autoclave was charged with the following reagents:

catalyst (weight equivalent to 0.12 mmol Mo)

1.0 ml chlorobenzene (GLC internal standard)

10 mmol tert-butyl hydroperoxide (2.6-2.8 ml of solution)

1,2 dichloroethane (17.2-17.4 ml to total volume of 21.0 ml).

The autoclave was cooled with an acetone/cardice ice bath. Propylene was transferred into a cooled (cardice/acetone) Fischer-Porter tube where it liquified and was measured. The Fischer-Porter tube was then warmed to transfer the measured aliquot (238 mmol) of propylene to the cooled autoclave. When the transfer was complete the autoclave was warmed to room temperature and pressurised to 300 psi with helium. The autoclave was then heated to the required reaction temperature (typically 80.degree. C. with a corresponding pressure of 400 psi) at which point reaction commenced. After the desired reaction time had elapsed, the autoclave was cooled to -5.degree. C. with an ice/acetone bath and the autoclave gases slowly vented off. The autoclave was dismantled and its contents transferred to a flask in an ice bath to retain volatiles. The autoclave product was analysed for propylene oxide by gas chromatography. (J & W DB5 capillary column with gas rates as previously described; oven at 70.degree. C. (1 min) then 45.degree. C./min to 120.degree. C.). The yield was based on conversion of tert butyl hydroperoxide i.e. 10 mmol tert-butyl hydroperoxide equivalent to 10 mmol propylene oxide=100% conversion.

Example 11

The yield of propylene oxide was determined at the end of each experiment of differing duration for unactivated PBI.Mo catalyst and for a corresponding amount of homogeneous MoO.sub.2 (acac).sub.2 catalyst. The results, in Table 13 show that the unactivated catalyst achieves a yield of propylene oxide comparable to that achieved with the homogeneous catalyst for reactions of 4 hours duration and that it appears to exhibit a slightly faster initial rate of reaction than the homogeneous catalyst.

TABLE 13______________________________________Experimental Data for Example 11 Propylene Oxide YieldTime (%)(hours) MoO.sub.2 (acac).sub.2 PBI.Mo______________________________________1 47.6 89.42 77.1 90.63 91.7 83.44 100 92.6______________________________________

Example 12

The yield of propylene oxide was measured for a series of 10 epoxidations as Example 11 but using a reaction time of 1 hour using the same catalyst for each reaction. The catalyst had not been activated and was separated from the reaction mixture after each reaction run by filtration and was stored in a solution of 10 mmol of tert-butyl hydroperoxide in 1,2 dichloroethane between runs. The results, shown in Table 14, show an increase in yield and activity as the catalyst was reused. The amount of molybdenum leached during these epoxidations was determined as previously described by placing the reaction mixture and combined washings in a rotary evaporator and removing all the solvents to leave a yellow residue which was treated with aqua regia, diluted with deionised water and analysed by atomic absorption spectroscopy.

The results, shown in Table 14 show that after 2 runs the leaching stops.

TABLE 14______________________________________Experimental Data for Example 12 Propylene Mo Oxide Yield LeachedRun (%) (%)______________________________________1 59.0 2.92 68.4 03 74.8 04 74.1 05 80.4 06 84.6 07 87.4 08 89.7 09 94.8 010 99.8 0______________________________________

Comparative Experiment C

Example 12 was repeated again using reaction times of 1 hour, using a catalyst comprising molybdenum supported on a functionalised polystyrene chelating resin which has a repeating unit represented by the general formula: ##STR2## where P represents the polymer backbone. This catalyst had been activated for 4 hours. The use of this catalyst for the epoxidation of cyclohexene is described by Sherrington and Simpson in Journal of Catalysis (131) 115 (1991). This is not a catalyst according to the present invention because the molybdenum is not complexed through the intermediacy of an imidazole ligand.

The results are shown in Table 15 and show catalyst activity progressively decreasing and constant, prolonged metal leaching with repeated use. This catalyst is therefore inferior to the catalyst according to the present invention described in Experiment 12.

TABLE 15______________________________________Experimental Data for Epoxidationof Propene using Ps.Mo CatalystComparative Experiment C Propylene Mo Oxide Yield LeachedRun (%) (%)______________________________________1 98.7 2.92 85.8 2.23 90.1 2.24 79.9 3.65 91.3 4.46 99.0 2.27 65.2 2.98 85.9 0.79 87.0 0.710 0.7______________________________________ NB Blank space where no data is available.

Example 13

Preparation of Catalyst Compositions Having Molybdenum supported by Pendant Imidazole Ligands on Organic Polymer Supports

Catalyst compositions having molybdenum supported by pendant imidazole ligands on organic polymers, polystyrene (Ps) and polylglycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) were prepared by the following procedures: (a) Preparation of Macroreticular Chloromethylated Polystyrene

This functionalised resin was prepared by the suspension copolymerisation of vinylbenzene chloride and divinylbenzene as follows:

Synthesis of stabilising solution (or bulk phase): 9 g boric acid was dissolved in 378 ml deionised H.sub.2 O and aqueous cellosize solution (12 g, 0.17% w/v) added. The pH of the solution was adjusted to 10.3 using 50% aqueous NaOH solution. Xanthan gum solution (300 ml, 0.3% w/v) was added along with NaCl (120 g). The resulting solution was stirred in a 1 liter suspension polymerisation reactor at a temperature of 80.degree. C. for a period of 1 hour prior to the addition of the monomer/diluent solution.

Monomer/diluent solution: 60 ml vinylbenzene chloride, 40 ml divinylbenzene and 50 ml 2-ethylhexanol stirred in flask. AIBN initiator added (1 g) and solution stirred until AIBN dissolved.

The solution was slowly added to the stirred bulk phase dropwise using an addition funnel. The resulting polymerisation mixture was left for a period of 5 hours at a temperature of 80.degree. C. Upon completion, the resulting beads were filtered off using a 100 .mu.m sieve, washed thoroughly with water and acetone, and extracted with acetone in a Soxhlet apparatus for a period of 24 hours before being dried in vacuo at 40.degree. C.

The functionalised resin was used in the preparation of organic polymer supports having pendant imidazole ligands.

(b) Preparation of Poly(glycidyl ethacrylate) PGMA

Macroreticular poly(glycidyl methacrylate) crosslinked with 40% ethylene glycol dimethylacrylate was synthesised by suspension polymerisation of a mixture of glycidyl methacrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (6/4 vol/vol) with a mixture of cyclohexanol and dodecanol (9/1 vol/vol) as the porogen (monomer-diluent, 1/1 vol/vol).

Biozan Gum R was used as stabiliser and a resin having a particle size of 300-800.mu.m was obtained. This procedure is described by D. Lindsay and D. C. Sherrington in Reactive Polymers 1985 3, 327-339.

This resin was used in the preparation of organic polymer supports having pendant imidazole ligands.

(c) Preparation of 2-pyridyl-2-imidazole ligand

This ligand was synthesised according to the procedure in South Africa Patent 77/5398 as follows:

Ice-cold solutions of 2-pyridine carboxaldehyde (78 ml, 0.79 mol), glyoxal (120 ml) and ethanol (100 ml) were mixed in a 3-necked, 1 liter round-bottom flask under a nitrogen atmosphere. Concentrated ammonia solution (120 ml, 2.16 mol) was added, and the flask maintained at 0.degree. C. for 30 minutes with continuous stirring, until the initial vigorous reaction died down. The flask was stoppered, retaining the nitrogen atmosphere, and stirred at room temperature for 3 hours.

Excess ethanol (approx. 100 ml) was removed and the remaining dark brown liquid extracted with 200 ml portions of ether 10 times. The ether extracts were dried with magnesium sulphate prior to the ether being removed by evaporation to yield a brown solid, which was recrystallised using ethyl acetate.

This imidazole ligand was used in the preparation of organic polymer supports having pendant imidazole ligands.

(d) Functionalisation of macroreticular chloromethylated polystyrene and poly(glycidyl methacrylate) resins with imidazole ligands

The chloromethylated polystyrene (Ps) and poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) resins were functionalised with the following imidazole ligands imidazole (Im), benzimidazole (Bzlm), 2-pyridyl-2-imidazole (Pylm) and 5-benzimidazole carboxylic acid (5BzCOOH) as follows:

Chloromethylated polystyrene. (Ps)

Ps resin (5 g, 0.021 mol --CH.sub.2 Cl) was refluxed with the ligand (0.063 mol, 3:1 ligand:--CH.sub.2 Cl) in toluene (120 ml) for a period of 12 hours. The resultant support was extracted with acetone in a Soxhlet apparatus for 24 hours and dried in vacuo at 40.degree. C.

Poly(glycidyl methacrylate)

PGMA resin (5 g, 0.020 mol epoxide group) was refluxed with the ligand (0.040 mol, 2:1 ligand:epoxide group) in toluene (120 ml) for a period of 12 hours. The resultant support was extracted with acetone in a Soxhlet apparatus for 24 hours and dried in vacuo at 0.degree. C.

(e) Attachment of 5-benzimidazole carboxylic acid (5BzCOOH) to chloromethylated polystyrene (Ps)

5-Benzimidazole carboxylic acid (6.804 g, 0.042 mol) and NaOH (1.68 g, 0.042 mol) (1:1 molar ratio employed in order to ensure deprotonation of carboxylic acid group only) were stirred in 150 ml ethanol for 4 hours in a flask fitted with a drying tube. Ps resin (5 g, 0.021 mol --CH.sub.2 Cl) was added and mixture refluxed for 24 hours. The resultant support was extracted with acetone in Soxhlet apparatus for 48 hours and dried in vacuo at 40.degree. C.

(f) Polymer Supports

Microanalytical, ligand loading and IR data for the functionalised polymer supports are given in Table 16.

TABLE 16______________________________________Elemental microanalysis, ligand loading and IR data forfunctionalised polymer support resins. Ligand % LoadingResin C H N (mmol g.sup.-1) IR______________________________________Ps.Im 74.8 6.8 3.6 1.30 1260 cm.sup.-1 loss of --CH.sub.2 Clwag 1550 cm.sup.-1 C.dbd.N str.Ps.BzIm 72.8 6.9 3.8 1.34 750 cm.sup.-1 arom. ring str.Ps.PyIm 71.2 5.9 9.2 2.19 1450 cm.sup.-1 C.dbd.N str.Ps.5BzCOOH 74.8 6.3 1.8 0.42 3440 cm.sup.-1 N--H str. 1590 cm.sup.-1 C.dbd.O str.PGMA.Im 54.0 6.8 5.7 2.04 3400 cm.sup.-1 OH str. 1550 cm'-1 C.dbd.N str.PGMA.BzIm 57.0 6.3 4.7 1.67 750 cm.sup.-1 arom. ring str.PGMA.PyIm 56.0 6.3 4.5 1.06 1450 cm.sup.-1 C.dbd.N______________________________________ str. (g) Preparation of Catalyst Compositions

Catalyst compositions were prepared by refluxing the organic polymer support with a 2:1 molar excess of metal acetylacetonate before being washed with acetone in a Soxhlet apparatus.

During the preparation of all the supported Mo catalyst compositions it was noted that the colour of the reaction solution turned dark blue in all cases. This colour was also detected in the initial extraction solvent in the Soxhlet apparatus but disappeared after the introduction of fresh solvent.

IR spectra of all the supported complexes were recorded, and salient data from these, along with the colours of the complexes, are listed in Table 17. Metal and ligand loadings are given in Table 18.

TABLE 17______________________________________IR Data for Molybdenum supported on organic polymersupports. IR (cm.sup.-1)Complex Colour Mo.dbd.O str. Mo--O--Mo str.______________________________________Ps.Im.Mo Brown 960 910 --Ps.BzIm.Mo Green 956 910 --Ps.PyIm.Mo Brown 960 915 --Ps.5BzCOO.Mo Green 960 904 --PGMA.Im.Mo Green 957 906 --PGMA.BzIm.Mo Green 953 916 --PGMA.PyIm.Mo Green 946 910 --PBI.Mo Dark Blue.sup.(1) 950 979 --______________________________________ .sup.(1) There were also some yellow beads dispersed throughout the resin TABLE 18______________________________________Metal Loading Data for molybdenum supported on organicpolymer supports Metal Loading Lignad (mmol Loading.sup.a) Ligand:MetalComplex g.sup.-1 (g g.sup.-1) (mmol g.sup.-1) Ion Ratio______________________________________Ps.Im.Mo 0.77 0.074 1.20 1.56:1Ps.BzIm.Mo 0.93 0.089 1.22 1.31:1Ps.PyIm.Mo 0.47 0.045 2.09 4.45:1Ps.5BzCOO.Mo 0.19 0.019 0.41 2.16:1PGMA.Im.Mo 0.46 0.094 1.95 4.26:1PGMA.BzIm.Mo 0.20 0.019 1.64 8.27:1PGMA.EyIm.Mo 0.66 0.063 0.99 1.49:1______________________________________ .sup.a) (1weight Mo per gram supported complex) .times. (original ligand loading)

When required, the polymer-supported molybdenum was subjected to an activation procedure prior to use in an epoxidation. An exact weight (containing 0.06 mmol Mo) of each complex was refluxed for a known period with TBHP (5 mmol, 1.3-1.4 ml) in 1,2dichloroethane (25 ml). When not in use in an epoxidation, the activated catalyst was stored in TBHP (5 mmol, 1.3-1.4 ml) and 1,2 dichloroethane (10 ml). During the activation process the colour of all the complexes changed to yellow without exception.

A catalyst according to the present invention having pendant 2-pyridyl imidazole ligands was prepared as above described and had a repeating unit represented by the general formula (IV): ##STR3## wherein P represents a macroreticular polystyrene backbone.

The catalyst thus prepared having repeating units represented by general formula (IV) was designated PsPylmMo and had 2.09 mmol ligand g.sup.-1 and 0.47 mmol Mo g.sup.-1.

A catalyst according to the present invention having pendant benzimidazole ligands prepared was prepared as described above and had repeating unit represented by the general formula (V): ##STR4## wherein P represents a macroreticular polystyrene backbone. The catalyst having repeating units represented by general formula (V) was designated Ps5BzCOOMo and had 0.41 mmol ligand g.sup.-1 and 0.19 mmole Mo g.sup.-1.

Example 14

Epoxidation of Cyclohexene

Experiment 2 was repeated using the catalyst compositions prepared in Example 13. The results are given in Table 19, together with the results from Example 2. Yields were based on tertbutyl hydroperoxide conversion. Reaction conditions were 0.5 mmol of tertbutyl hydroperoxide, 83 mmol of cyclohexene, 0.06 mmol of catalyst and 80.degree. C. temperature.

TABLE 19______________________________________Epoxidations of Cyclohexene Activation Cyclohexene Oxide Yield (%)Catalyst Conditions 20 min 60 min 240 min______________________________________PBI.Mo Unact. 60.6 97.1 98.3 4 hr act. 79.6 96.0 99.2Ps.Im.Mo Unact. 1.9 3.1 24.0 4 hr act. 14.9 20.0 95.7Ps.BzIm.Mo Unact. 1.9 3.1 24.0 4 hr act. 14.5 20.7 87.8PS.PyIm.Mo Unact. 19.6 26.4 87.8 4 hr act. 6.7 9.3 74.1Ps.5BzCOO.Mo Unact. 3.4 23.8 100.0 4 hr act. 11.6 41.5 100.0PGMA.Im.Mo Unact. 4.5 22.8 83.6 4 hr act. 10.0 29.0 92.0PGMA.BzIm.Mo Unact. 17.2 37.4 60.7 4 hr act. 21.4 52.9 89.5PGMA.PyIm.Mo Unact. 53.9 84.9 100.0 4 hr act. 42.3 87.6 100.0______________________________________

Example 15

Epoxidation of Propene Using PsPyImMo Catalyst

PsPyIm Mo catalyst prepared in Example 13 was used as catalyst for the epoxidation of propene using t-butylhydroperoxide.

The reaction conditions were 10 mmol t-butylhydroperoxide, 0.12 mmol molybdenum in the catalyst, 238 mmol propene; temperature 80.degree. C. and pressure 400 psi (using helium).

The catalyst was used and reused in a series of epoxidation runs each of 1 hour. The catalyst was activated for 4 hours as previously described prior to the initial epoxidation run. The results, shown in Table 20 show the catalyst to have high activity and selectivity for propene epoxidation. There was no molybdenum leaching.

Turnover frequency (TOF) is the moles of product produced per unit time divided by moles of active catalyst, which as metal leaching is negligible is approximately moles of product produced per unit time divided by moles of metal originally present. 50% TOF was calculated as 50% of material converted/time taken, per mol. Mo used in catalyst.

TABLE 20______________________________________Catalyst recycling experiments - epoxidationof propene using Ps.PyIm.Mo catalystExample 15 Turnover Propylene Frequency Oxide Mo Leached (mol epoxide min.sup.-1Run Yield (%) (%) mol Mo.sup.-1)______________________________________1 98.9 0 1.372 95.3 0 1.323 97.7 0 1.364 -- 0 --5 95.0 0 1.326 -- 0 --7 93.4 0 1.308 92.8 0 1.299 92.8 0 1.2910 -- 0 --______________________________________ "--" data were not obtained.

Example 16

Epoxidation of Propene Using Ps5BzCOOMo Catalyst

Example 15 was repeated using Ps5BzCOOMo catalyst prepared in Example 13. The catalyst was not activated prior to the initial epoxidation run. The results shown in Table 21 show the catalyst to have high activity and selectivity for propene epoxidation. The molybdenum leaching was negligible.

TABLE 21______________________________________Catalyst recycling experiments - epoxidationof propene using Ps5BzCOOMo catalystExample 16 Turnover Propylene Frequency Oxide Mo Leached (mol epoxide min.sup.-1Run Yield (%) (%) mol Mo.sup.-1)______________________________________1 100.0 1.1 1.392 88.0 1.1 1.223 87.4 1.1 1.214 -- 0 --5 86.5 0 1.206 84.9 0 1.187 85.5 0 1.198 86.5 0 1.209 86.2 0 1.2010 88.2 0 1.20______________________________________ "--" = data were not obtained.

Example 17

Epoxidation of Propene Using PGMA PyIm.Mo Catalyst

Example 15 was repeated using PGMA.PyIm. Mo prepared in Example 13 which was not activated prior to the initial epoxidation. The results are shown in Table 22.

TABLE 22______________________________________Catalyst recycle experiments Epoxidation of propeneusing PGMA.PyIm.Mo catalyst. Turnover Propylene Frequency Oxide Mo Leached (mol epoxide min.sup.-1Run Yield (%) (%) mol Mo.sup.-1)______________________________________1 90.1 1.1 1.252 89.3 1.1 1.243 74.1 0 1.034 --.sup.(a) 0 --.sup.(a)5 43.4 0 0.606 53.6 0 O.747 --.sup.(a) 0 --.sup.(a)8 55.4 0 0.779 53.8 0 0.7510 53.9 0 0.75______________________________________ (a) "--" = data were not obtained.

Comparative Example D

Epoxidation of propene Using PGMA.AMP.Mo Catalyst

Example 15 was repeated using a catalyst comprising molybdenum supported on polyglycidyl methacrate functionalised with 2-aminomethyl pyridine. PGMA.AMP.Mo which had been activated for 4 hours before use. This is not an example according to the present invention. The results for 1 hour reaction twice are shown in Table 23.

TABLE 23______________________________________Catalyst recycling experiments - Epoxidation of propeneusing PGMA.AMP.Mo catalyst Turnover Propylene Frequency Oxide Mo Leached (mol epoxide min.sup.-1Run Yield (%) (%) mol Mo.sup.-1)______________________________________1 84.5 0.7 1.172 82.8 0.7 1.153 94.8 0.7 1.324 88.6 0.7 1.235 96.6 0.7 1.346 93.6 0.7 1.307 99.0 2.1 1.388 83.9 0.7 1.179 82.0 0 1.1410 81.7 0 1.13______________________________________

Further Epoxidations

In these epoxidations, a double-necked, round-bottom flask, which was surrounded with an adiabatic jacket, was used. This flask was connected to an external heating bath's pump by rubber tubes. In all the epoxidations temperature was kept constant at 60.0.degree..+-.0.1.degree. C., except in the case of allyl chloride, which has a boiling point of 45.degree. C. To make the flask accessible for sample collecting, a stopper with a septum was placed at the second neck. A reflux condenser was fitted to the flask and stirring was by an overhead stirrer. The use of a stirrer caused the polymer beads to break up during the experiments.

No attempt was made to protect the reaction mixtures against atmospheric oxygen.

(a) 4-vinyl-cyclobexene

0.0803 g of PBI.Mo catalyst prepared as previously described; 7.5 ml of 4-vinyl-cyclohexene; 0.5 ml of bromobenzene and 0.55 ml of toluene was placed in the flask. The solution was allowed to reach thermal equilibrium for 30 minutes, then 1.42 ml of tert-butyl hydroperoxide/toluene solution (3.52M) was added. Samples were analysed at intervals by gc. It was estimated that the 50% turnover frequency was between 0.14 and 0.59 moles 4-vinyl cyclohexene per mol Mo per minute. At least 7 small impurities were detected in the 4-vinyl-cyclohexene. No measurable amount of 4-vinyl-cyclohexene dioxide was observed (i.e. conversion to this product less than 0.2%). After 57 hours the major product was 4-vinylcyclohexene monoxide together with four other unidentified compounds.

(b) Methylene-cyclohexane

The previous experiment was repeated using 0.0805 g PBIMo; 2 ml methylene-cyclohexane; 0.5 ml bromobenzene; 5.58 ml toluene and 1.42 ml of tert-butyl hydroperoxide/toluene solution (3.52M). Samples withdrawn from the reaction flask were collected in vials immersed in dry ice/acetone to stop reaction. The epoxidation proceeded with almost no side reactions and the 50% turnover frequency was 0.127 moles cyclohexene/mole Mo/minute. In this epoxidation, the concentration of olefin is less than in other epoxidations. The experiment was repeated using 7.5 ml methylene cyclohexane;0.50 ml bromobenzene; 0.67 ml toluene; 1.33 ml tert-butyl hydroperoxide/toluene solution (3.75M) and 0.040 g PBIMo=0.00440 mmole Mo. The main product was 1-oxo spiro [2,5] octane at a 50% turnover frequency of 0.60 mole epoxide/mole Mo/min.(c)

Allyl-chloride

Since allyl-chloride boils at 45.degree. C., it was boiled off during the epoxidation with the heating jacket at 60.degree. C. Thus after 5 hours more than half of the allyl chloride had disappeared and after 20 hours the reaction mixture was almost down to dryness with significant loss of epichlorohydrin.

Otherwise the previous procedure was used with 0.080 g of PBIMo; 7.5 ml of allyl-chloride; 0.5 ml of bromobenzene; 0.60 ml of toluene and 1.40 ml of tertbutyl hydroperoxide solution (3.52M).

The epoxidation proceeded but due to the vaporisation of allyl chloride, it was only possible to estimate the 50% turnover frequency to be more than 0.21 moles cyclohexene per mole Mo per minute at 45.degree. C.

(d) Styrene

The previous experiment was repeated using 7.50 ml styrene; 0.50 ml bromobenzene; 0.68 ml toluene; 1.32 ml tertbutyl hydroperoxide/toluene solution (3.79M) and 0.0406 g PBIMo=0.00447 mmole Mo. A 50% turnover frequency of 0.33 mol. styrene/mol Mo/min was obtained.

Claims

1. A process for the epoxidation of an olefinic compound with a peroxide which process comprises reacting the olefinic compound with a peroxide in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising at least one of molybdenum, vanadium, tungsten and titanium complexed to an organic or inorganic support through the intermediacy of an imidazole ligand.

2. A process as claimed in claim 1 in which the olefinic compound has the general formula (II):

R--CH=CH--R' (II)

wherein R and R' are the same or different and are independently hydrogen; hydrocarbyl groups; substituted hydrocarbyl groups; or together form a cyclic hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl group.

3. A process as claimed in claim 2 in which the R and R' groups are independently alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, cycloalkyl or alkylcycloalkyl groups each having less than 30 carbon atoms, or together form a cycloalkyl or alkylcycloalkyl group having less than 10 carbon atoms.

4. A process as claimed in claim 2 in which the one or both R and R' groups independently have allylic hydroxyl, chloride, ether and/or ester substituent groups, or vinyl ester, nitrile and/or phenyl substituent groups with the proviso that electron-withdrawing substitutent groups are not substituted directly on the olefinic double bond.

5. A process as claimed in claim 2 which the olefinic compound comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene, butenes, pentenes, hexenes, octenes, decenes, cyclohexene, unsaturated glycerin esters, allyl chloride, styrene, 4-vinyl cyclohexene, methylene cyclohexane, allyl chloride, cyclopentadiene and butadiene.

6. A process as claimed in claim 5 in which the olefinic compound is selected from the group consisting of propylene, oct-1-ene, cyclohexene, styrene, 4-vinylcyclohexene, allyl chloride and methylene cyclohexane.

7. A process as claimed in claim 5 in which the peroxide is selected from the groups consisting of hydrogen peroxide, organic hydroperoxides, peroxide ethers and peracids.

8. A process as claimed in claim 1 in which the olefinic compound comprises propylene and the peroxide comprises tert-butyl hydroperoxide, optionally in the presence of tert-butyl alcohol.

9. A process as claimed in claim 1 in which the imidazole ligand is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted imidazole, 2-pyridyl imidazole, benzimidazole, hydroxy-substituted imidazole, hydroxy-substituted benzimidazole and 5-benzimidazole carboxylic acid.

10. A process as claimed in claim 9 in which the support comprises an organic polymer.

11. A process as claimed in claim 10 in which the support comprises a polybenzimidazole.

12. A process as claimed in claim 11 in which the support comprises poly[2,2'(m-phenylene)-5,5'-benzimidazole].

13. A process as claimed in claim 10 in which the imidazole ligand is pendant to the polymer support.

14. A process as claimed in claim 13 in which the polymer support is selected from the group consisting of styrene polymers and glycidyl methacrylate polymers.

15. A process as claimed in claim 14 in which the imidazole ligand is selected from the group consisting of a imidazole, 2-pyridyl imidazole, benzimidazole and 5-benzimidazole carboxylic acid.