Ethylene oxide catalyst

A catalyst for the production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen which comprises about 1-25 wt % silver (basis total catalyst) and about 20-1000 ppm (measured as the metal, basis total catalyst) of an alkali metal promoter supported on a carrier, which carrier is prepared by process which comprises mixing an aluminum compound with water and an alkali metal salt and with silicon dioxide wherein the atom ratio of the alkali metal in the alkali metal salt/aluminum is between about 0.001 and about 0.1 and the silicon/aluminum atom ratio is between about 0.1 and about 0.5, and calcining the resultant mixture at a temperature between about 1200.degree. C. and about 1700.degree. C.

A catalyst for the production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen which comprises about 1-25 w % silver (basis total catalyst) and about 20-1000 ppm (measured as the metal, basis total catalyst) of an alkali metal promoter supported on a carrier, which carrier is prepared by a process which comprises mixing boehmite and/or gamma-alumina, water, an alkali metal salt, silicon dioxide wherein the atom ratio of the alkali metal of the alkali metal salt/aluminum is between about 0.001 and about 0.1 and the silicon/aluminum ratio is between about 0.1 and about 0.5, the resulting mixture being extruded to shaped carrier particles which are then calcined at a temperature about 1200.degree. C. and about 1700.degree. C.