Propenoxidation

Propenoxidation refers to the chemical process of adding an oxygen atom to propene, also known as propylene. This reaction typically involves the oxidation of propene to form various oxygenated products, most commonly propylene oxide. Propylene oxide is a crucial intermediate chemical used in the production of polyurethanes, propylene glycol, and other polymers.

Several methods exist for propenoxidation. The chlorohydrin process, an older method, involves reacting propene with chlorine and water to form propylene chlorohydrin, which is then dehydrochlorinated to produce propylene oxide. However, this process generates significant amounts of wastewater and byproducts.

More modern and environmentally friendly approaches include direct oxidation and co-oxidation processes. Direct oxidation involves reacting propene directly with oxygen, often using a silver catalyst. Co-oxidation methods typically involve reacting propene with an organic hydroperoxide, such as ethylbenzene hydroperoxide or tert-butyl hydroperoxide, in the presence of a catalyst like molybdenum or titanium. These co-oxidation processes, like the Halcon process, are widely used industrially due to their higher selectivity and reduced environmental impact compared to the chlorohydrin route. The choice of catalyst and reaction conditions significantly influences the yield and selectivity of the desired product.