METHYL TERT-BUTYL ETHER PRODUCTION PROCESS Russian patent published in 2006 - IPC C07C41/06 C07C43/04 

FIELD: industrial organic synthesis.

SUBSTANCE: methyl tert-butyl ether is obtained synthetically from methanol and isobutene on sulfonic cationite catalyst. Reaction mass is processed consecutively in three columns, the second downstream column having additional reaction zone. Isobutane-containing stream from the top of the first column is introduced into second column under catalyst bed, bottom product from second column into first column, isobutane-enriched stream from the top of the second column into third column to remove methanol. Commercial methyl tert-butyl ether is recovered as bottom product from the first downstream column. Exhausted isobutane fraction is withdrawn as top stream from the third downstream column. Gas portion of reaction mixture and part of phlegm from the first column is combined with starting material and third-column bottom product is fed as phlegm. Additional amount of methyl tert-butyl ether is obtained by decomposing 2,4,4-trimethylpentenes via reaction with methanol on sulfonic cationite catalyst, which is achieved by addition of 1 to 23% of 2,4,4-trimethylpentenes to methanol supplied into top part of second column.

EFFECT: reduced consumption of isobutene and increased production of target product.

1 dwg, 6 tbl, 6 ex