Process for preparing olefin oxides in an electrochemical cell

A method of producing olefin oxides in an electrochemical cell having spaced anode and cathode electrodes connected for providing a current flow through an electrolyte in the cell, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) introducing an aqueous alkali metal chloride or bromide solution electrolyte mixed with an olefin to be oxidized and forming a hydrin from the olefin;
• (b) introducing oxygen or an oxygen enriched gas in the vicinity of the cathode in the cell to assist in forming hydroxide ions in solution, said cell being operated at a voltage selected to cause current flow in the cell and sufficiently low in voltage that hydrogen is not liberated in the cell and wherein hydroxide ions react with the hydrin to form an oxidized olefin;
• (c) removing cell electrolyte containing oxidized olefin therein;
• and
• (d) separating the olefin oxide from the removed electrolyte.