Synthesis methyl-/-butyl ether

Isobutyl alcohol [78-83-1] forms a substantial fraction of the butanols produced by higher alcohol synthesis over modified copper—zinc oxide-based catalysts. Conceivably, separation of this alcohol and dehydration affords an alternative route to isobutjiene [115-11 -7] for methyl /-butyl ether [1624-04-4] (MTBE) production. MTBE is a rapidly growing constituent of reformulated gasoline, but its growth is likely to be limited by available suppHes of isobutylene. Thus higher alcohol synthesis provides a process capable of supplying all of the raw materials required for manufacture of this key fuel oxygenate (24) (see Ethers). 

High temperature steam reforming of natural gas accounts for 97% of the hydrogen used for ammonia synthesis in the United States. Hydrogen requirement for ammonia synthesis is about 336 m /t of ammonia produced for a typical 1000 t/d ammonia plant. The near-term demand for ammonia remains stagnant. Methanol production requires 560 m of hydrogen for each ton produced, based on a 2500-t/d methanol plant. Methanol demand is expected to increase in response to an increased use of the fuel—oxygenate methyl /-butyl ether (MTBE). 

MRU [Methanol recovery unit] A process for removing methanol from the unreacted components from the synthesis of methyl /-butyl ether. It uses selective adsorption on multiple beds of a zeolite such as 4A. Developed by Union Carbide Corporation and now licensed by UOP as of 1992, eight units had been licensed. See also ORU. 

However, care must be exercised in using molecular sieves for drying organic liquids. Appreciable amounts of impurities were formed when samples of acetone, 1,1,1-trichloroethane and methyl-/-butyl ether were dried in the liquid phase by contact with molecular sieves 4A (Connett Lab.Practice 21 545 1972). Other, less reactive types of sieves may be more suitable but, in general, it seems desirable to make a preliminary test to establish that no unwanted reaction takes place. For the principles of synthesis and identification see R. Szostak Molecular Sieves, Chapman Hall, London 1988, and for structure, synthesis and properties see R.Szostak Handbook of Molecular Sieves, Chapman Hall 1992. 

The synthesis of methyl /-butyl ether (MTBE) from isobutylene and methanol on TS-1 has been investigated. This reaction is catalyzed by acids and the industrial production is carried out with sulfonic acid resin catalysts. It has been reported that at 363-383 K the reaction proceeds in the presence of the acidic HZSM-5, but also on TS-1, which is much more weakly acidic. However, the characterization of the catalysts used is not completely satisfactory for instance, the IR spectra reported do not show the 960-cm 1 band that is always present in titanium-containing silicas. It is therefore possible that the materials with which the reaction has been studied are not pufe-phase TS-1. The catalytic activity for MTBE synthesis is, in any case, an interesting result, and further investigations with fully characterized catalysts are expected to provide a satisfactory interpretation of these results (Chang et al., 1992). 

A homogeneous catalytic process, developed by Oxirane, uses a molybdenum catalyst that epoxidizes propylene by transferring an oxygen atom from tertiary butyl hydroperoxide. This is shown by 8.28. The hydroperoxide is obtained by the auto-oxidation of isobutane. The co-product of propylene oxide, /-butanol, finds use as an antiknock gasoline additive. It is also used in the synthesis of methyl /-butyl ether, another important gasoline additive. The over-... 

Fig, 3.78 Methyl-(-butyl ether (MTBE) synthesis. Initial rate depoidence on initial methanol concentration at various constant isobutene contents. Temperature ... 

Until 1982, almost all methyl methacrylate produced woddwide was derived from the acetone cyanohydrin (C-3) process. In 1982, Nippon Shokubai Kagaku Kogyo Company introduced an isobutylene-based (C-4) process, which was quickly followed by Mitsubishi Rayon Company in 1983 (66). Japan Methacryhc Monomer Company, a joint venture of Nippon Shokubai and Sumitomo Chemical Company, introduced a C-4-based plant in 1984 (67). Isobutylene processes are less economically attractive in the United States where isobutylene finds use in the synthesis of methyl /i / butyl ether, a pollution-reducing gasoline additive. BASF began operation of an ethylene-based (C-2) plant in Ludwigshafen, Germany, in 1990, but favorable economics appear to be limited to conditions unique to that site. 

Mixed C4 olefins (primarily iC4) are isolated from a mixed C olefin and paraffin stream. Two different liquid adsorption high-purity C olefin processes exist the C4 Olex process for producing isobutylene (iCf ) and the Sorbutene process for producing butene-1. Isobutylene has been used in alcohol synthesis and the production of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and isooctane, both of which improve octane of gasoHne. Commercial 1-butene is used in the manufacture of both hnear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE)., polypropylene, polybutene, butylene oxide and the C4 solvents secondary butyl alcohol (SBA) and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK). While the C4 Olex process has been commercially demonstrated, the Sorbutene process has only been demonstrated on a pilot scale. 

Hydroxynitrile lyase Synthesis of (R)-mandelonitrile in sodium phosphate buffer/methyl tert-butyl ether [70]... 

Activity of Heteropolyacid in Synthesis of Methyl tert-Butyl Ether" (179)... 

Methyl fert-butyl ether (MTBE) synthesis 69,70 SMBCR... 

The synthesis of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) is one of the most important applications of RD. MTBE is produced via an acid-catalyzed reaction between methanol and isobutylene ... 

Gicquel A, Torek B. Synthesis of methyl tertiary butyl ether catalyzed by ion-exchange resin. Influence of methanol concentration and temperature. J Catal 1983 83 9-18. 

Rehfinger A, Hoffmann U. Kinetics of methyl tertiary butyl ether liquid-phase synthesis catalyzed by ion exchange resin. I. Intrinsic rate expression in liquid-phase activities. Chem Eng Sci 1990 45 1605-1617. 

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