Proton-catalysed reactions in which water is not a stoichiometric reactant catalysed by metal cation exchanged layered clays

摘要

The invention relates to the use of metal cation-exchangeable layered clays in organic reactions which are catalysed by protons in which intercalated water is not a stoichiometric reactant. Such organic reactions include the production of esters by the reaction of an olefin or an olefin oxide with a carboxylic acid, the production of ethers by reaction of an alcohol with an olefin or an olefin oxide, the production of ethers by the reaction of a primary or secondary aliphatic alcohol or an olefin oxide, the production of bis-sec-alkyl ethers from alkenes, the production of alkyl aromatic compounds by the reaction of an aromatic hydrocarbon with an olefin or alcohol and the production of alcohols by the hydration of olefins.