Thesis (M.Sc.)--Chulalongkorn University, 2006

A series of H-ZSM-5 zeolites with Si/AI ratios in arrange of 10-50 were tested in the epoxide ring opening catalysis. All ZSM-5 catalysts were synthesized by hydrothermal method and characterized by XRD, SEM/EDX, [subscript 27] AI MAS NMR and nitrogen adsorption (BET), to link catalyst properties to catalytic behavior. The catalysis of epoxide ring opening was carried out in the heterogeneous system. H-ZSM-5 with high Si/AI of 36 was an effective catalyst for styrene oxide ring opening, which gave the high yield of 2-methoxy-2-phenylethanol of higher 89% with a good selectivity at the reaction temperature of 70ํc for 3 h. This optimum condition was further applied for other epoxides: 1-dodecene oxide and cyclohexene oxide. The catalytic reaction of epoxide ring opening over ZSM-5 catalyst could be proceeded and gave the relatively high quantity in product yield of alcohol derivatives. In addition, the reused catalyst with regeneration by calcined at 540ํc for 5 h was studied for the reaction of epoxide ring opening. The result shows a high efficiency with the high yield of desired product and selectivity to 2-methoxy-2-phenylethanol, after testing for four cycles.