HYDRO-OXIDATION PROCESS USING A CATALYST CONTAINING GOLD AND A HALOGEN-CONTAINING COMPOUND

摘要

A process 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 in the presence of hydrogen and a hydro-oxidation catalyst containing gold deposited on a titanium-containing support, preferably, a titanosilicate, and in the presence of a halogen-containing compound, preferably, a promoter halide, such as a promoter chloride or a mixture of promoter chloride with one or more promoter fluorides, bromides, and/or iodides, wherein the promoter comprises a Group 1, Group 2, lanthanide rare earth, or actinide metal. The halogen-containing compound improves catalyst selectivity, hydrogen efficiency, and/or productivity, while reducing the formation of water which is formed both as a co-product and by-product of the process.