Reaction Mechanism of 1,2-Dichloroethane in Ethylene Epoxidation

The role of trace amount of dichloroethane(EDC) on the feed gas of catalytic ethylene epoxidation reaction were investigated.Experiments was carried out in a micro reactor,in the presence of Ag/α-Al 2O 3 catalyst under similar conditions of ethylene oxide industrial plants.The results indicated EDC could reduce side reaction and improve the selectivity of producing ethylene oxide.The results were: 1,2-dichloroethane decomposed at 200 ℃ in the presence of silver catalyst,but didn't decompose in the presence of α-Al 2O 3 carrier;the adsorbed chlorine produced by decomposition of 1,2-dichloroethane changed the sorptive nature of silver catalyst surface,and improved selectivity of the major reaction; 1,2-dichloroethane decomposition was reversible under the conditions of epoxidation of ethylene.