CPC C07D 301/12 (2013.01) [C07D 301/32 (2013.01); C07D 303/04 (2013.01)] | 16 Claims |
1. A process for making propene oxide, comprising:
a) reacting propene with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a methanol solvent, of a titanium zeolite epoxidation catalyst, and of at least one nitrogen containing compound present in an amount of from 100 to 3,000 mg/kg of hydrogen peroxide, at a molar excess of propene to hydrogen peroxide, to provide a reaction mixture;
b) separating all or a part of non-reacted propene from the reaction mixture of a), to provide a propene depleted reaction mixture;
c) subjecting the propene depleted reaction mixture of b) to a distillation in a distillation column, to provide an overhead product stream comprising propene oxide and methanol and a bottoms product stream comprising methanol and water; and
d) separating the propene oxide from the overhead product stream of c);
wherein c) is performed after contact with and/or in the presence of an acid provided in an amount providing an apparent pH in the bottoms product stream of from 3 to 4.5.
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