Patent ID: 6388106
Filing Date: 2002-05-14
Classification: B01J,C07D

Abstract:
Process for the preparation of a monoepoxide of an olefin reactant having the formula: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, and C2-C6 linear or branched alkyl groups, provided that at least one R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 contains at least one Câ€”H group that is allylic to one or both of the adjacent C&boxH;C double bonds, which comprises contacting in the vapor phase the olefin reactant with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a supported silver catalyst at epoxide-forming conditions of pressure and temperature, wherein the catalyst comprises a catalyst support material having a surface area of less than 10 square meters per gram having distributed on the surface thereof about 1 to 30 weight percent silver and about 10 to 5000 parts per million by weight (ppmw) of an epoxidation catalyst modifier selected from alkali earth metals, alkaline earth metals and thallium.