Micellar catalysis as a clean alternative for selective epoxidation reactions

In the search for more environmentally friendly processes, the use of micellar structures opens up a range of new possibilities. One of the most exciting applications is the incorporation of homogeneous catalysts in micelles to perform reactions: micellar catalysis. Micellar catalysis can be used to perform for example epoxidation reactions. In this way organic solvents, in which epoxidations are usually performed, are replaced by aqueous surfactant solutions. In this study propylene and 1-octene have been successfully epoxidized by hydrogen peroxide, catalyzed by micelle incorporated porphyrin catalysts. Furthermore, several experimental techniques have been used to get more insight in the micelle-catalyst system.