Alumina-catalyzed epoxidation of unsaturated fatty esters with hydrogen peroxide Original Research Article

Two commercial aluminas and one produced by the sol–gel process were compared for the epoxidation of unsaturated fatty esters using anhydrous or aqueous hydrogen peroxide as oxidant and ethyl acetate as solvent. The aluminas show a good catalytic activity and excellent selectivity towards the epoxides. The sol–gel alumina was more efficient and when using aqueous hydrogen peroxide could be recycled several times.