PURPOSE: In obtaining an epoxy compound in high selectivity by reacting an olefin with hydrogen peroxide, to remove an activator of tetrahydrophthalic anhydride from raw reaction materials only through washing with water, by carrying out the epoxidation in the presence of tetrahydrophthalic anhydride which is reusable by recrystallizing it from washing water.
CONSTITUTION: In the presence of an acid anhydride shown by the formula (R1W R4 is H, halogen, lower alkyl, alkenyl, or R1 and R4 may form methylene bond), an olefin is reacted with hydrogen peroxide in a liquid phase, to give an epoxy compound. 0.05W0.2mol acid hydride is preferably used based on 1g equivalent olefin, and when the acid anhydride is solid, it is heated and dissolved in the olefin or blended with it before adding hydrogen peroxide dropwise to the reaction system.
EFFECT: Since the equilibrium between the compound shown by the formula and a water-containing acid is extremely inclined to the side of the acid anhydride, the epoxidation can be carried out with a catalytic amount of the acid anhydride, and the hydrolysis of the formed epoxy compound is also suppressed.
SAKURADA HIROYASU
CHIYOUSHI YASUO
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