Process for the preparation of alkyl n-butyl ether

摘要

Until now, alkyl n-butyl ether was prepared by laboratory processes, for example by hydrogenation of 1-ethoxybut-2-yne on PtO2 in glacial acetic acid. The conversion of this laboratory process to an industrial process presents great difficulties because of the risk of corrosion and would only be possible with great technical outlay. A Pd supported catalyst is used in the preparation of alkyl n-butyl ether by catalytic hydrogenation of 1-alkoxy but-1-ene-3-yne. The hydrogenation is preferably carried out in the presence of a solvent, such as e.g. ethanol. The process can be carried out on a large scale without difficulty. The alkyl n-butyl ether is obtained with complete conversion in virtually quantitative yield.