Process for the selective hydrogenation gamma , delta -epoxyalkenes to epoxyalkanes

摘要

Disclosed is a novel process for the preparation of epoxyalkanes and epoxycycloalkanes which comprises hydrogenating gamma , delta -epoxyalkenes or gamma , delta -epoxycycloalkenes in the presence of a rhodium catalyst. The process is especially useful for the preparation of 1,2-epoxybutane from 3,4-epoxy-1-butene.