Process for conjointly preparing methyl tert.-butyl ether and obtaining isobutene

US4320232A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• BASF SE

Inventors

• Klaus Volkamer · Bischofswerda, DE
• Alfred Lindner · Frankenthal (Pfalz), DE
• Franz Merger · Bischofswerda, DE
• Ulrich Wagner · Bernburg, DE
• Erwin Brunner · Meiningen, DE
• Gerhard Sandrock · Bischofswerda, DE
• Max Strohmeyer · Schifferstadt, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 19, 1980
• Grant date: Mar 16, 1982
• Expiry date: Jun 19, 2000

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C7/14891
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for conjointly preparing methyl tert.-butyl ether and obtaining isobutene from an isobutene-containing C.sub.4 -hydrocarbon mixture. In the process the C.sub.4 -hydrocarbon mixture is reacted, in one or more etherification stages, with methanol and a primary C.sub.3 - or C.sub.4 -alcohol in the presence of an acid condensing agent, the resulting reaction mixture or mixtures are then separated into a fraction containing the unconverted hydrocarbons, the methyl tert.-butyl ether and a fraction containing the C.sub.3 - or C.sub.4 -alkyl tert.-butyl ether. Thereafter, the C.sub.3 - or C.sub.4 -alkyl tert.-butyl ether is decomposed at an elevated temperature, in the presence of an acid catalyst, into isobutene and primary C.sub.3 - or C.sub.4 -alcohol.