Although the epoxidation of ethylene is routinely achieved in the industry with selectivities as high as 90% on Ag catalysts, most catalysts provided  efficiency,  and 433 K (160 °C). The active species in these catalysts were identified to be hemispherical gold nano-crystals of less than 2 nm in diameter in intimate contact with the support.
Alkene epoxidation has been demonstrated in absence of H reductant in the liquid phase. For example, using 1% Au/graphite, ~80% selectivities of cis-cyclooctene to cyclooctene oxide (analogous to cyclohexene oxide) were obtained at 7-8% conversion, 353 K (80 °C), and 3 MPa O in absence of hydrogen or solvent. Other liquid-phase selective oxidations have been achieved with saturated hydrocarbons. For instance, cyclohexane has been converted to cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol with a combined selectivity of ~100% on gold catalysts. Product selectivities can be tuned in liquid phase reactions by the presence or absence of solvent and by the nature of the latter, viz. water, polar, or nonpolar. With gold catalysts, the catalyst's support has less influence on reactions in the liquid phase than on reactions in the gas phase.