10.1016/j.catcom.2010.11.025
The research focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and catalytic activity of tin incorporated periodic mesoporous organosilicas (Sn–PMOs) in the epoxidation reaction of olefins. The Sn–PMOs were prepared using alkyl trimethylammonium bromide surfactants with different alkyl chain lengths under basic conditions. Key chemicals involved in the synthesis include 1,2-bis(triethoxysilylethane) (BTEE), octadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (C18-TMABr), tin tetrachloride (SnCl4), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and hydrochloric acid (HCl) for surfactant removal. The synthesized materials were characterized using various techniques such as powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption–desorption, solid-state NMR, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and thermal analysis (TG-DTA). The Sn–PMOs exhibited excellent catalytic activity and reusability in the epoxidation of norbornene and cis-cyclooctene, outperforming a Sn–MCM-41 sample. The superior performance was attributed to the higher tin incorporation, better accessibility of reactants to active sites, and enhanced hydrophobicity due to the organic groups in the framework walls.