| abstract |
A catalyst for partial oxidation of hydrocarbons, comprising gold, titanium oxide and a support having a specific surface area of at least 50 m2/g. The support is preferably silicon oxide and/or aluminum oxide. The gold content of the catalyst is preferred to range from 0.05 to 5 % by weight. Another catalyst for partial oxidation of hydrocarbons comprises gold, a titanium-containing metallic oxide and at least one member selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and thallium. The catalysts thus provided have excellent activity and selectivity in the partial oxidation of hydrocarbons conducted in the presence of hydrogen and oxygen. Also, there is provided a method comprising partially oxidizing hydrocarbons with the use of either of the above catalysts in the presence of hydrogen and oxygen. This method enables production of epoxides from olefinic hydrocarbons and alcohols and A/or ketones from saturated hydrocarbons in high selectivity and high conversion. |