Synthesis and catalysis of tungsten oxide in hexagonal mesoporous silicas (W-HMS) Original Research Article

Hexagonal mesoporous silicas containing tungsten complexes have been synthesized through the condensation of tetraethoxysilane templated by an amphiphilic diblock copolymers modified with tungsten isocyanide complexes under acidic conditions. Upon calcination, the tungsten complex was transformed into its oxide, which was deposited inside the channels. This material is illustrated to be a good catalyst on the allylic oxidation of cyclohexene in the presence of hydrogen peroxide under mild conditions. In addition, this catalyst could be easily recovered after the reaction and re-used without any significant loss of its activity.