Patent ID: 6639085
Filing Date: 2003-10-28
Classification: C07D

Abstract:
A process for producing propylene oxide in a reaction system, which comprises the following steps:oxidation step; a step in which isopropylbenzene is oxidized to obtain isopropylbenzene hydroperoxide, epoxidation step; a step in which isopropylbenzene hydroperoxide obtained in the oxidation step is reacted with propylene to obtain propylene oxide and cumyl alcohol, hydrogenolysis step; a step in which cumyl alcohol obtained in the epoxidation step is subjected to hydrogenolysis to obtain isopropylbenzene, and said isopropylbenzene is recycled to the oxidation step as a raw material for the oxidation step, and a step for removing water to outside of the reaction system so that the concentration of water in a solution containing isopropylbenzene hydroperoxide to be supplied to the epoxidation step is 1% by weight or less.