One-Step Synthesis of Propylene Oxide from Propylene VII.

Liquid Phase Air Oxidation of Propylene to Propylene Oxide under Pressure in the Presence of Metal-Phthalocyanine Catalysts

Abstract

Liquid phase air oxidation of propylene to propylene oxide (PO) was studied inbenzene in the presence of metal phthalocyanine (Me-Pc) catalysts. The resultsare as follows ;(1) The effects of reaction variables on the rate of reaction and PO selectivity with Me-Pc catalysts were much similar to those with Mn-naphthenate (Mn-N) catalyst. Most of the Me-Pc catalysts tested, however, gave somewhat higher PO selectivities. It may be reasonably explained by the Kropf's mechanism of the activaton of oxygen by Me-Pc catalysts .[Ann. 631 73 (1960)].(2) The activity of various Me-Pc catalysts for PO formation at 175°C decreased in the following order. Co-Pc≅Ni-Pc>Ag-Pc≅Cu-Pc≅Na-Pc≅Mn-Pc>Zn-Pc≅Ti-Pc≅no catalyst ≅Mn-N>>Li-Pc