Electrolytic Synthesis of Propene Oxide from Propene and Water in the Gas Phase

Direct synthesis of propene oxide was demonstrated by electrolytic oxidation of propene and water in the gas phase at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. The anode was the especially active one for the electrolytic epoxidation of propene among the anodes made from precious metals . Oxidation states of the surface of affected the formation rate of propene oxide and the product selectivities. The anode made from and graphite (3:1) was good for the propene oxide synthesis (75% selectivity). ©1999 The Electrochemical Society