| abstract |
An epoxidation reaction product formed by the molybdenum catalyzed reaction of propylene with tertiary butyl hydroperoxide to provide propylene oxide and tertiary butyl alcohol is separated by distillation into a propylene fraction, a propylene oxide fraction, a tertiary butyl alcohol fraction and a heavy liquid distillation fraction composed primarily of tertiary butyl hydroperoxide, tertiary butyl alcohol, dissolved molybdenum catalyst, and impurities including lower aliphatic C₁-C₄ carboxylic acids, and the heavy liquid distillation fraction is saturated with ammonia to precipitate the molybdenum therefrom for recovery. |