| abstract |
Process for the preparation of oxirane compounds, which process comprises: (i) oxidation of an alkylaryl to obtain an alkylaryl hydroperoxide, (ii) contacting at least part of the alkylaryl hydroperoxide obtained in step (i) with olefin in the presence of a catalyst to obtain an oxirane compound and alkylaryl hydroxyl, (iii) separating oxirane compound from reaction product of step (ii), and (iv) contacting at least part of the reaction product from which an oxirane compound has been separated, with hydrogen to obtain alkylaryl at least part of which is recycled to step (i), in which process the alkylaryl is an alkylaryl compound comprising more than 1 alkyl substituent. |