Catalyst effective in the oxidative conversion of ethylene to ethylene oxide

Abstract

The present invention provides a catalyst effective in the oxidative conversion of ethylene to ethylene oxide, comprising an alumina support and 20 to 45% by weight of the catalyst, of silver applied to the support, the catalyst meeting the following limitations (i) to (v): (i) an amount of cesium c(Cs) in mmol per Kg of catalyst of at least 2; (ii) an amount of rhenium c(Re) in mmol per Kg of catalyst of at least 3.0; (iii) an amount of tungsten c(W) in mmol per Kg of catalyst of at least 1.6; (iv) a silicon to alkaline earth metal molar ratio x of not higher than 1.80; (v) c(Cs)−c(Re)−c(W)≤4·x−0.5.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.