Research Progress in Epoxidation of Light Small-Molecule Olefins
Light olefins, as important bulk raw materials in the petrochemical industry, play an irreplaceable role in the development of the manufacturing industry and the economy. The epoxides of light olefins are important intermediates for the synthesis of polymers, drugs, and fine chemicals, and their gre...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-03-01
|
| Series: | Molecules |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/6/1340 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849341685882945536 |
|---|---|
| author | Guanghui Zhao Tianfu Yang Jincheng Liu Xianming Xu Yulong Wang Yongjun Zhang Meng Gao Chao Xiong Hongbing Ji |
| author_facet | Guanghui Zhao Tianfu Yang Jincheng Liu Xianming Xu Yulong Wang Yongjun Zhang Meng Gao Chao Xiong Hongbing Ji |
| author_sort | Guanghui Zhao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Light olefins, as important bulk raw materials in the petrochemical industry, play an irreplaceable role in the development of the manufacturing industry and the economy. The epoxides of light olefins are important intermediates for the synthesis of polymers, drugs, and fine chemicals, and their green, efficient, and safe synthesis has attracted much attention. This review focuses on the research progress of light olefin epoxidation and elucidates traditional epoxidation methods, such as the chlorohydrin method. Although these processes have mature processes, they have drawbacks, including equipment corrosion, environmental pollution, poor safety, and high waste emissions. Special emphasis is placed on catalytic epoxidation systems using oxygen or organic peroxides as oxygen sources. For homogeneous catalytic systems, certain metal complexes exhibit high activity and selectivity yet are difficult to separate and recycle. Moreover, heterogeneous catalytic systems have become a research hotspot due to their advantages of easy separation and reusability, with supported metal catalysts being a prime example. Meanwhile, the effects of reaction temperature, pressure, solvent, etc., on epoxidation are explored. The specific reaction mechanisms are also studied and analyzed. Current research challenges, including enhancing catalyst stability and reducing costs, are summarized. In the future, developing highly efficient, green, and economically viable epoxidation technologies for large-scale industrial applications represents an important research direction in this field. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b7781ec3d2e84a4dbd2728d2174f2225 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1420-3049 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Molecules |
| spelling | doaj-art-b7781ec3d2e84a4dbd2728d2174f22252025-08-20T03:43:34ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-03-01306134010.3390/molecules30061340Research Progress in Epoxidation of Light Small-Molecule OlefinsGuanghui Zhao0Tianfu Yang1Jincheng Liu2Xianming Xu3Yulong Wang4Yongjun Zhang5Meng Gao6Chao Xiong7Hongbing Ji8Daqing Petrochemical Research Center, PetroChina Petrochemical Research Institute, Da’qing 163714, ChinaSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaDaqing Petrochemical Research Center, PetroChina Petrochemical Research Institute, Da’qing 163714, ChinaDaqing Petrochemical Research Center, PetroChina Petrochemical Research Institute, Da’qing 163714, ChinaDaqing Petrochemical Research Center, PetroChina Petrochemical Research Institute, Da’qing 163714, ChinaDaqing Petrochemical Research Center, PetroChina Petrochemical Research Institute, Da’qing 163714, ChinaDaqing Petrochemical Research Center, PetroChina Petrochemical Research Institute, Da’qing 163714, ChinaState Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green-Chemical Synthesis Technology, Institute of Green Petroleum Processing and Light Hydrocarbon Conversion, College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, ChinaSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaLight olefins, as important bulk raw materials in the petrochemical industry, play an irreplaceable role in the development of the manufacturing industry and the economy. The epoxides of light olefins are important intermediates for the synthesis of polymers, drugs, and fine chemicals, and their green, efficient, and safe synthesis has attracted much attention. This review focuses on the research progress of light olefin epoxidation and elucidates traditional epoxidation methods, such as the chlorohydrin method. Although these processes have mature processes, they have drawbacks, including equipment corrosion, environmental pollution, poor safety, and high waste emissions. Special emphasis is placed on catalytic epoxidation systems using oxygen or organic peroxides as oxygen sources. For homogeneous catalytic systems, certain metal complexes exhibit high activity and selectivity yet are difficult to separate and recycle. Moreover, heterogeneous catalytic systems have become a research hotspot due to their advantages of easy separation and reusability, with supported metal catalysts being a prime example. Meanwhile, the effects of reaction temperature, pressure, solvent, etc., on epoxidation are explored. The specific reaction mechanisms are also studied and analyzed. Current research challenges, including enhancing catalyst stability and reducing costs, are summarized. In the future, developing highly efficient, green, and economically viable epoxidation technologies for large-scale industrial applications represents an important research direction in this field.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/6/1340light olefinssmall moleculesepoxidationcatalysis mechanismresearch progress |
| spellingShingle | Guanghui Zhao Tianfu Yang Jincheng Liu Xianming Xu Yulong Wang Yongjun Zhang Meng Gao Chao Xiong Hongbing Ji Research Progress in Epoxidation of Light Small-Molecule Olefins Molecules light olefins small molecules epoxidation catalysis mechanism research progress |
| title | Research Progress in Epoxidation of Light Small-Molecule Olefins |
| title_full | Research Progress in Epoxidation of Light Small-Molecule Olefins |
| title_fullStr | Research Progress in Epoxidation of Light Small-Molecule Olefins |
| title_full_unstemmed | Research Progress in Epoxidation of Light Small-Molecule Olefins |
| title_short | Research Progress in Epoxidation of Light Small-Molecule Olefins |
| title_sort | research progress in epoxidation of light small molecule olefins |
| topic | light olefins small molecules epoxidation catalysis mechanism research progress |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/6/1340 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT guanghuizhao researchprogressinepoxidationoflightsmallmoleculeolefins AT tianfuyang researchprogressinepoxidationoflightsmallmoleculeolefins AT jinchengliu researchprogressinepoxidationoflightsmallmoleculeolefins AT xianmingxu researchprogressinepoxidationoflightsmallmoleculeolefins AT yulongwang researchprogressinepoxidationoflightsmallmoleculeolefins AT yongjunzhang researchprogressinepoxidationoflightsmallmoleculeolefins AT menggao researchprogressinepoxidationoflightsmallmoleculeolefins AT chaoxiong researchprogressinepoxidationoflightsmallmoleculeolefins AT hongbingji researchprogressinepoxidationoflightsmallmoleculeolefins |