Method for the production of an epoxy compound

摘要

This invention relates to a method which comprises epoxidizing an ethylenic compound with hydrogen peroxide thereby producing a corresponding epoxy compound. The epoxidation is carried out in a reaction system made of metal under conditions such that the inner surface area (S) of the reaction system exposed to the gaseous-phase part thereof and the amount of the reaction solution (V) in the reaction system satisfy the formula: 0 < S/V ≤ 2 (m<2>/m<3>). The epoxidation, otherwise, is carried out in a reaction system such that at least the inner surface thereof exposed to the gaseous-phase part thereof has been inactivated. By this reaction, an epoxy compound can be produced with a high yield without inducing coloration by epoxidizing a corresponding ethylenic compound with hydrogen peroxide. By reacting epoxysuccinic acid obtained as described above with L-aspartic acid, hydroxy iminodisuccinic acid of high quality can be produced without inducing coloration.