Process for the hydro-oxidation of olefins to olefin oxides using oxidized gold catalyst

US6255499A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY · US

Inventors

• Alex Kuperman · Orinda, US
• Robert G. Bowman · Midland, US
• Howard W. Clark · Midland, US
• George E. Hartwell · Midland, US
• Brian J. Schoeman · Midland, US
• Hendrik E. Tuinstra · Midland, US
• Garmt R. Meima · Midland, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 7, 2000
• Grant date: Jul 3, 2001
• Expiry date: Apr 7, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P20/52
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process and catalyst for the hydro-oxidation of an olefin having three or more carbon atoms, such as propylene, to form an olefin oxide, such as propylene oxide. The process involves contacting the olefin with oxygen under reaction conditions in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst. The catalyst contains oxidized gold dispersed on a titanium-containing support, preferably, a support having a plurality of titanium coordination environments, for example, titanium grafted onto a titanosilicate. Selectivity to olefin oxide is high at good conversion of the olefin. The catalyst uses hydrogen efficiently and exhibits a long lifetime.