METHOD OF PREPARING METHYL TETRAAKYL ETHERS Russian patent published in 1997 - IPC

FIELD: industrial organic syntheses. SUBSTANCE: methyl tetraalkyl ethers applicable as high-antiknock components for motor fuels are prepared by interaction of methanol with tert-alkenes contained in C₄-C₅-hydrocarbon fractions in presence of acid catalyst. Reaction products are separated via rectification with taking away nonreacted hydrocarbons and methanol as top products, which are then introduced into alkene oligomerization process. The latter is carried out in presence of phosphoric acid on carrier at 150-230 C and pressure 20-50 atm. Rectification of oligomerization products gives alkane-containing fraction as top product and fraction of alkene oligomers and higher ethers as still product. Alkene oligomer fraction may be utilized in the stage of synthesis of methyl tetraalkyl ethers. In this case, as still product, a mixture composed of methyl tetra-C₄-alkyl and/or - C₅-alkyl ether, alkene oligomers, and higher ethers is withdrawn. EFFECT: provided inexpensive synthetic procedure. 2 cl, 2 dwg