catalysts useful for epoxidizing olefins are disclosed . the catalysts comprise a vinylpyridine polymer and a titanium zeolite . preferably , the vinylpyridine polymer encapsulates the titanium zeolite . the catalysts are easy to prepare and use , they are easy to recover and reuse , and they convert olefins to epoxides in good yields with high selectivity . surprisingly , ring - opening reactions that form glycol or glycol ether by - products are minimized by using the vinylpyridine polymer - containing catalysts . the catalysts are valuable for making propylene oxide from propylene and hydrogen peroxide . vinylpyridine polymer - encapsulated transition metals and their use to produce hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen is also disclosed .