A process for purifying propylene oxide characterized by subjecting a
liquid reaction mixture containing propylene oxide, and water,
hydrocarbons and oxygen-containing organic compounds as impurities
obtained by reacting cumene hydroperoxide with propylene to extractive
distillation using an extractant of a hydrocarbon having 7 to 20 carbon
atoms with an extractive distillation column, and controlling a
concentration of propylene glycol in the extractant supplied to the
extractive distillation column to 20% by weight or less.