プロピレンオキシド製造技術の変換

抄録

All of the significant uses of propylene oxide are for chemical intermediates.
The major uses of propylene oxide are in manufacturing the propylene glycols used in polyurethane and polyerster resins.
The oxide also is used in surface active agents, lubricants, and oil demulsifiers.
Propylene oxide has long been made by the chlorohydrin process.
The process, however, has two disadvantages; the chlorine used is costly and voluminous waste treatment is necessary.
Consequently, for many years, considerable efforts have been devoted to more efficient process routes.
In 1969, Oxirane Corp. succeeded to produce propylene oxide by an indirect oxidation method.
The process uses tertiary-butyl hydroperoxide or alpha-methy benzyl hydroperoxide to oxidize propylene to the oxide, producing about twice as much alcohols as propylene oxide.
Now there is a need, therefore, for a more universal process which is environmentally clean and produce only a negligible amount of by products.