Epoxides are among
the most important essential building blocks
with wide downstream applications in the chemical industry. In this
context, rational design of cost-effective catalysts is critical to
achieve high atom efficiency during epoxidation processes. Therefore,
in this perspective, recent research progress on heterogeneous W and
Nb nanocatalysts for facile liquid-phase epoxidation will be critically
reviewed in terms of catalyst synthesis, surface characterization
and structure–function relationship. Furthermore, plausible
mechanisms for liquid-phase epoxidation of ethylene, propylene, hexene,
octene and other light olefins, as well as deactivation mechanism
of W and Nb catalysts will be systematically discussed with the aim
to provide insights into fundamental understanding on novel epoxidation
chemistry and improving activity, selectivity, and stability nanocatalytic
materials.