PROCESS FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF ALKYL-TERBUTYL ETHERS STARTING FROM A PRIMARY ALCOHOL AND ISOBUTYLENE IN PRESENCE OF BUTADIENE

摘要

Isobutylene is separated from a stream of C4 hydrocarbons containing it and remarkable amounts of butadiene, and methyl tert-butyl ether is prepared, by feeding that stream of hydrocarbons and methanol to a reactor containing a catalyst consisting of an acid ion-exchange resin, maintained at a temperature in the range of from 60 DEG to 120 DEG C, at a space velocity (LHSV) in the range of from 5 to 35, the relation between the space velocity (LHSV) and temperature being correlated to correspond to the formula: LHSV = 1/2t - 25, wherein t is the temperature in degrees C, so that the isobutylene and methanol are caused to react, and then separating the methyl tert-butyl ether thus formed from the reaction mixture by distillation.