the present invention relates to a direct conversion of olefin to olefin oxide , which are important and versatile intermediates used in the production of a large variety of valuable consumer products such as polyurethane foams , polymers , alkylene glycol , cosmetics , food emulsifiers and as fumigants and insecticides . more specifically , the present invention provides a process for producing an olefin oxide which comprises reacting an olefin with oxygen in the presence of a halogen compound additive and a catalyst comprising copper , ruthenium or both thereof .