Abstract
The comparative kinetics of epoxidation of maleic anhydride by hydrogen peroxide in the presence of sodium tungstate or sodium molybdate as catalyst have been studied. The reaction is zero order with respect to hydrogen peroxide concentration and first order with respect to sodium molybdate and tungstate (sodium tungstate or sodium molybdate). Tungstate-catalysed epoxidation of maleic anhydride is faster than that of molybdate catalysis. A complex rate equation describing the dependence of rate on maleic anhydride, catalyst and hydrogen peroxide has been proposed. A reaction mechanism has also been proposed.