ABSTRACT

This paper deals with the generation of high-octane aliphatic ethers - particularly methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), diisopropyl ether (DIPE}, and isopropyl tert-butyl ether (IPTBE) - from readily available alkanol and crude acetone feed streams. Each etherification synthesis has been demonstrated using inorganic solid acid catalysis - particularly oxide-supported heteropoly acids and HF-treated clays in the case ofMTBE production, and zeolite Beta, or transition-metal-modified ~-zeolites, where DIPE or IPTBE are the intended products. Crude acetone hydrogenation to isopropanol {IP A) intermediate is effected using a nickel-rich, bulk-metal, catalyst.