Aspartic acid was polymerized without any catalyst under microwave irradn. The poly(aspartic acid) was converted to its Na salt and used as support for prepn. of Co and Cu catalysts by ion exchange in an aq. soln. The catalysts were then used for epoxidation of trans-stilbene in acrylonitrile with O(2) at 60 degrees C in presence of Me(2)CHCHO. Both the fresh and recycled Co catalyst showed high activity (100% conversion) and selectivity (99% and 97%, resp.). The Cu catalyst was less active.