IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO ALKYLENE OXIDE PRODUCTION Russian patent published in 2018 - IPC C07D301/19 C07C407/00 C07C29/132 C07C7/11 B01D17/04 

FIELD: technological processes; chemistry.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a process for the preparation of an alkylene oxide which comprises the production of an alkylphenyl hydroperoxide and contacting the alkylphenyl hydroperoxide with an alkene in an epoxidation reaction to produce an alkylene oxide and an alkylphenyl alcohol. In accordance with the invention, the alkylphenyl hydroperoxide is manufactured by a process comprising: (a) reacting an alkylaryl compound and oxygen to produce a reaction mixture containing alkylphenyl hydroperoxide, alkylaryl compound and oxygen; (b) separating at least a portion of the reaction mixture into a product stream comprising alkylphenyl hydroperoxide, and a stream comprising an alkylaryl compound; (c) mixing at least a portion of the separated stream of the alkylaryl compound with a basic aqueous solution; (d) separating at least a portion of the mixture obtained in step (c) with a coalescer to produce a separated organic phase containing an alkylaryl compound and a separated aqueous phase; and (e) returning at least a portion of the separated organic phase containing the alkylaryl compound to step (a).

EFFECT: production of more alkylene oxide per molecule of co-produced aromatic alkene by increasing the selectivity of oxidation of the alkylaryl compound to the corresponding alkylphenyl hydroperoxide.

10 cl, 2 dwg, 4 tbl