US EPA

2116134 

Journal Article 

High octane ethers from synthesis gas-derived alcohols (Final Technical Report, 25 Sep. 1990 - 24 Dec.) (1993) 

Klier, K; Herman, R 

1994 

The objective of the research was to develop the methodology for the catalytic synthesis of ethers, primarily methyl isobutyl ether (MIBE) and methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), directly from alcohol mixtures that are rich in methanol and 2-methyl-1-propanol (isobutanol). The overall scheme involves gasification of coal, purification and shifting of the synthesis gas, higher alcohol synthesis, and direct synthesis of ethers. The last stage of the synthesis involves direct coupling of synthesis gas-derived methanol and isobutanol that has been previously demonstrated by us to occur over superacid catalysts to yield MIBE and smaller amounts of MTBE at moderate pressures and a mixture of methanol and isobutene at low pressures. A wide range of organic resin catalysts and inorganic oxide and zeolite catalysts have been investigated for activity and selectivity in directly coupling alcohols, principally methanol and isobutanol, to form ethers and in the dehydration of isobutanol to isobutene in the presence of methanol. All of these catalysts are strong acids, and it was found that the organic and inorganic catalysts operate in different, but overlapping, temperature ranges, i.e. mainly 60-120 C for the organic resins and 90-175 C for the inorganic catalysts. For both types of catalysts, the presence of strong acid centers is required for catalytic activity, as was demonstrated by lack of activity of fully K(+) ion exchanged Nafion resin and zirconia prior to being sulfated by treatment with sulfuric acid. (DOE) 

RADICALS; CHEMICAL REACTIONS; CATALYSTS; BUTANES; CATALYTIC ACTIVITY; ZIRCONIUM OXIDES; SULFURIC ACID; TEMPERATURE PROFILES; GASIFICATION; ALUMINUM OXIDES; COAL; DEHYDRATION; PRESSURE MEASUREMENT; METHYL ALCOHOL; RESINS; PURIFICATION; SYNTHESIS (CHEMISTRY); ETHERS; ZEOLITES; (Jan 1994)