METHOD FOR PRODUCING ALKYLENE OXIDE

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a simple method for producing an alkylene oxide in improved efficiency and yield compared with conventional methods. SOLUTION: An aqueous solution of an olefin and an alkali metal chloride is continuously supplied to a liquid channel W formed between a pair of parallelly placed cathode A and anode C while keeping a laminar flow state. An electric current is passed between the cathode and the anode to form an alkali metal hydroxide near the cathode and an alkylene chlorohydrin near the anode by the reaction of the olefin with hypochlorous acid formed by the reaction of water and chlorine generated at the anode. The alkali metal hydroxide is reacted with the alkylene chlorohydrin in the liquid channel to form the objective alkylene oxide. COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO