Continuous process for the catalytic epoxidation of olefinic double

Abstract

In a multistage process for the continuous epoxidation of double bonds of terminal and non-terminal olefins containing more than 12 carbon atoms, unsaturated higher fatty acids and their lower alkanol and lower alkanediol esters and also unsaturated fatty alcohols containing from 8 to 18, preferably 18, carbon atoms and triglycerides of higher fatty acids including unsaturated fatty acids, preferably soyabean oil, using performic acid formed in situ from hydrogen peroxide and formic acid, the reactants, olefin and hydrogen peroxide/formic acid, are passed at ambient pressure in cross-counter flow through an at least three-stage reaction cascade. The olefinic phase is introduced into the first reaction stage, the hydrogen peroxide and the formic acid are introduced in separate streams into the penultimate reaction stage and the olefin phase and the hydrogen peroxide/formic acid phase (acid water phase) are separated from one another in a phase separator after each reaction stage. The olefinic phase passes successively through reaction stages I to n while the acid water, after reaction stage (n-1), passes through reaction stages (n-2) to 2 in counter flow to the olefin phase and then through stages n and 1, the reaction temperature being maintained in the range from 50.degree. to 80.degree. C. in the reactors and in the range from 15.degree. to 60.degree. C. in the phase separators.