Method for making an oxirane

A process for making 1,2-epoxy-3-chloropropane by reaction between allyl chloride and an inorganic peroxide compound in a liquid medium containing an alcohol as a diluent, the alcohol being at least partially water-soluble, the process comprising:

• collecting a mixture of reaction products comprising 1,2-epoxy-3-chloropropane, the alcohol and water and, optionally, the unconverted reactants;
• placing the mixture in contact with an extraction solvent selected from the group consisting of o-xylene, m-xylene, p-xylene, p-dichlorobenzene, o-chlorotoluene, m-chlorotoluene, p-chlorotoluene, n-tridecane, o-dichlorobenzene, m-dichlorobenzene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, decalin, o-chlorotoluene, 1,2,3-trichloropropane, allyl chloride, nitrobenzene and n-decane, and mixtures thereof, so as to obtain two distinct liquid phases, said extraction solvent being suitable for dissolving 1,2-epoxy-3-chloropropane, the alcohol being sparingly soluble in the solvent, the liquid phases comprising an extract containing at least some of the extraction solvent and at least 10% of the amount of 1,2-epoxy-3-chloropropane produced, and a raffinate containing at least some of the alcohol and at least some of the water;
• collecting separately the extract and the raffinate;
• subjecting the extract to a distillation in order to remove 1,2-epoxy-3-chloropropane therefrom;
• and
• subjecting the raffinate to a distillation in order to remove water therefrom.