Epoxidized soybean oil was synthesized by the new catalyst methyltrioxorhenium (MTO) with H2O2. The effects of reaction parameters such as hydrogen peroxide, solvent and additives on the epoxidation of soybean oil were discussed in detail. The epoxidation of other oils through this kind of catalytic system was investigated and the selectivity to the epoxidized product could reach above 99%. The product was characterized by IR spectrum. It was found that the catalytic intermediates with a high catalytic activity were formed in the epoxidarion process through studies on the UV-Vis spectrum of the catalytic system. The mechanism of interaction between the catalyst and hydrogen peroxide and the new epoxidation were finally investigated.

Key words: biological oils and fats, hydrogen peroxide, methyltrioxorhenium, liquid-phase epoxidation