| abstract |
The activity of supported silver catalysts for the direct oxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide with molecular oxygen or air is improved by applying to the catalyst from 1 to 1,000 ppm, preferably 20 to 500 ppm, of cesium and/or rubidium in two or more than two steps and using the catalyst after each impregnation step again for the production of ethylene oxide by direct oxidation of ethylene with molecular oxygen or air. |