How is ethylene oxide manufactured from ethylene?

Ethylene oxide is manufactured industrially through the oxidation of ethylene. This process is facilitated by using a silver catalyst placed on an inactive, refractory support.12

As an epoxide, ethylene oxide is a cyclic ether characterized by a three-membered ring containing an oxygen atom attached to two adjacent carbon atoms. This specific ring structure creates significant strain, which renders ethylene oxide highly reactive compared to typical acyclic ethers. Once produced, it serves as a vital starting material for various industrial applications, most notably the production of ethylene glycol, which is used in antifreeze and the manufacturing of polyester fibers and films.23