Non-catalytic oxidation of alkylene to alkylene oxide in the presence of recycled aldehyde by-products

摘要

A non-catalytic, gas-phase oxidation process for the production of an alkylene oxide or mixture of alkylene oxides in the presence of an aldehyde which may be an aldehyde produced in the oxidation process. Preferably, a gaseous mixture of propylene, oxygen and acetaldehyde is reacted at a temperature in the range of from about 200 to about 350. degree. C. and at a superatmospheric pressure up to about 1000 psig.