Abstract: Epoxidation of an alkene by reaction with a peroxycarboxylic acid to produce an oxirane. A peroxycarboxylic acid in organic solution is reacted with an alkene to produce a product mixture. Unreacted alkene is separated from the product mixture as a gas. The separated alkene is absorbed into the organic solution containing the peroxycarboxylic acid. The oxirane product is obtained by purification of the product mixture after the alkene has been separated. The organic solution containing the peroxycarboxylic acid is preferably obtained by countercurrently contacting an aqueous phase which includes sulfuric acid, hydrogen peroxide and water and an organic phase containing carboxylic acid and organic solvent.

Abstract: The invention provides a continuous process for the production of a peracid in a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent comprising the steps of: (a) providing an aqueous phase comprising sulphuric acid, hydrogen peroxide and water; (b) providing an organic phase comprising a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent and carboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of acetic acid and propionic acid; and (c) contacting said aqueous and organic phases countercurrently to produce an aqueous solution comprising sulphuric acid and water and an organic product solution comprising chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent and a peracid corresponding to said carboxylic acid. Desirably the process includes the added step of: (d) utilizing at least a portion of said aqueous solution to provide at least a portion of the aqueous phase of step (a).

Abstract: A process for the production of epichlorhydrin, which comprises the steps of:(a) providing an organic solution comprising perpropionic acid and an organic solvent selected from the group consisting of chlorinated hydrocarbons and hydrocarbons;(b) reacting at least a portion of the perpropionic acid of said organic solution and allyl chloride to produce a product mixture comprising epichlorhydrin, propionic acid and organic solvent; and(c) effecting distillation of said product mixture to separate a product phase rich in epichlorhydrin out from said product mixture.

Abstract: The invention provides a continuous process for the production of a peracid in an organic solvent comprising the steps of: (a) providing an aqueous phase comprising sulphuric acid, hydrogen peroxide and water; (b) providing an organic phase comprising an organic solvent and carboxylic acid; and (c) contacting said aqueous and organic phases countercurrently to produce an aqueous solution comprising sulphuric acid and water and an organic product solution comprising organic solvent and a peracid corresponding to said carboxylic acid. Desirably the process includes the added step of: (d) utilizing at least a portion of said aqueous solution to provide at least a portion of the aqueous phase of step (a).