LAUSR

Abstract New graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) supported molybdenum catalysts were designed for the epoxidation of olefins. First, the surfaces of GO and rGO were functionalized with appropriate carboxylic acid ligands. Complexation of the supported carboxylic acid ligands with bis(acetylacetonato)dioxomolybdenum(VI) resulted in the formation of desired heterogeneous molybdenum catalysts. Characterization of the prepared catalysts was performed with various techniques such as Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission (ICP-OES) spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and N2 adsorption-desorption analysis which confirmed the successful immobilization of molybdenum-carboxylate complexes on the surfaces of GO and rGO. The obtained catalysts showed high catalytic activities in the selective epoxidation of olefins with tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP). Also, the heterogeneous catalysts were recycled without remarkable decrease in catalytic efficiencies under five successive runs.