Patent ID: 7084284
Filing Date: 2006-08-01
Classification: B01D,B01J

Abstract:
1. The process for the production of propylene oxide by reaction of propylene, oxygen and hydrogen in a liquid solvent in the presence of a solid catalyst and a phosphine and/or phosphine oxide promoter, which comprises a) reacting propylene, oxygen and hydrogen in a liquid solvent in the presence of a solid catalyst and a phosphine and/or phosphine oxide promoter to form a reaction mixture comprised of propylene oxide, b) separating solid catalyst from said reaction mixture, c) contacting the mixture from which solid catalyst has been separated either before or after separation of propylene oxide with a membrane effective to retain phosphine and/or phosphine oxide promoter while permitting passage of solvent and propylene oxide, and d) recycling at least a portion of retained phosphine and/or phosphine oxide promoter from step c) to step a).