A process is disclosed for reacting an olefin, hydrogen, and oxygen in a
reactor in the presence of a catalyst comprising a transition metal
zeolite and a noble metal to produce a reaction mixture comprising an
epoxide and acidic byproducts. A portion of the reaction mixture is
contacted with an adsorbent so that a treated mixture having a reduced
amount of byproducts is produced. The treated mixture is recycled back to
the reactor. Including an adsorption step should improve the catalyst
productivity and epoxide selectivity.