PROCESS FOR PREPARING C-C-ALKYL TERT-C-C-ALKYL ETHERS Russian patent published in 1996 - IPC

FIELD: high-octane additives to motor fuels. SUBSTANCE: claimed invention describes improved process for preparing C₁-C₄-alkyl-tert-C₄-C₅-alkyl ethers by etherification of C₁-C₄-alcohols with tertiary C₄-C₅-olefins at 70-100 C in aqueous phase in the presence of homogeneous catalyst, e.g. sulfuric acid or phosphoric acids at the starting C₁-C₄ alcohol to tertiary C₄-C₅ olefin molar ratio of (0.9-1.2):1 in the presence of 5-30% wt% water and 2-10 wt% tertiary C₄-C₅ alcohol based on mixture of catalyst, C₁-C₄ alcohol, water and tertiary C₄-C₅ alcohol. The reaction mixture is separated at reaction temperature in separator. This significantly simplifies the process and reduces energy requirements as compared with the prior art process. Process selectivity 85-96%. Removal of catalyst with hydrocarbon phase is reduced to 0.5-1.5% of the catalyst fed into reactor and utilization of sewage is simplified. EFFECT: more efficient preparation process. 8 cl, 1 tbl