BigPatents India

A process and catalyst for the direct oxidation of an olefin having three or more carbon atoms, such as propylene, by oxygen to an olefin oxide, such as propylene oxide. The process involves contacting the olefin with oxygen under reaction conditions in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst. The catalyst comprises gold on a support of titanium dispersed on silica. The titanium phase is disorganized and substantially free of crystalline titanium dioxide, as determined by analytical methods, such as, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Selectivity to olefin oxide is high at good conversions of the olefin. The time between catalyst regenerations is long, and the catalyst is readily regenerated.