A series of Cd modified titanium silicalite 1 catalysts with different Cd content (xCd-TS-1, x = 1-15) were successfully prepared by ultrasound impregnation. Epoxidation of butadiene over these catalysts were investigated using hydrogen peroxide as oxidant, which indicated that Cd greatly improve the catalytic performance of TS-1 and the selectivity of epoxide. Various characterization methods including quantum chemical calculation were employed to explore the specific roles of Cd in promotingTS-1 catalytic activity. Theoretical calculation consistently suggested Ti-O bond were weakened owing to the introduction of Cd, which resulted in the structure of Cd-TS-1 becoming more relaxant. As a consequence, it is favorable to methanol solvent and H2O2 interacting with the Ti active site to form five-member transition state during reaction. It was observed that catalysts modified with 1-5 wt% Cd presented both high catalytic activity and good reusability. The highest yield of 0.63 mol/L of vinyloxirane (VO) was obtained, while turnover number (TON, determined as the molar VO obtained per molar Ti atom) could reach to 1466. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.