*** 9660090 Genders This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will study the electrochemical synthesis of propylene oxide. This proposal describes novel composite electrode structures that are expected to offer a low cost route to the electrosynthesis of propylene oxide. The primary focus of the proposal will be on the electrochemical epoxidation of propylene to form propylene oxide. The incorporation of specific electrocatalyts into high surface area electrodes will be examined. The techniques used are also expected to be of general use in other epoxidation reactions. Propylene oxide production represents an annual market value of $2 billion in the US alone. A new low cost route to propylene oxide and/or propylene glycol would have significant economic benefit. In addition to the commodity market, an electrochemical route to propylene oxide will also offer a cost effective method for smaller scale on-site manufacturing. ***
