Selective epoxidation of allyl acetate with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) over the groups IV-VI metal oxides supported on SiO2, Al2O3 and TiO2 has been studied. The epoxidation required higher temperatures than those of alpha-olefins and cycloolefins did. The poor epoxidation selectivity was attributed to concurrently occurring reactions of epoxides produced during epoxidation. The highest yield of epoxide was achieved over MoO3/TiO2 with an adequate MoO3 loading which was determined so that the surfaces of TiO2 were two-dimensionally and fully covered With MoO3. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.