The first montmorillonite‐supported surface single‐structure titanium complex: synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity in alkene epoxidation

A well-defined single-site titanium-modified montmorillonite (MMT) with only one geometric construction ((SiO)(3)-Ti-NMe2) was obtained in moderate conditions. Reaction of tetrakis(dimethylamido)titanium with hydroxylated MMT was conducted by surface organometallic chemistry technique, and the surface structure was characterized by in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, C-13 cross polarization magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, extended X-ray absorption fine structure, and elemental analysis. The catalytic activity in alkene epoxidation was evaluated, and the results revealed that the steric hindrance of the substances is responsible for the catalytic activity of the MMT-supported titanium complex but to the characteristic restricted layer-like structure of the MMT. Copyright (c) 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.