Process for production of triptane and triptene

US7825287B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• John H. Ahn · Saint Louis, US
• Burcin Temel · Hellerup, DK
• Enrique Iglesia · Clinton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 28, 2008
• Grant date: Nov 2, 2010
• Expiry date: Apr 15, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C1/20
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

High octane C7 hydrocarbons, particularly 2,2,3-trimethylbutane (“triptane”) and 2,2,3-trimethyl-but-1-ene (“triptene”) (collectively “triptyls”) are produced by homologation of a feed comprising dimethyl ether and/or methanol and optionally including one or more aliphatic hydrocarbons in the presence of certain acidic zeolite catalysts. The process can be carried out at temperatures lower than those previously used for conversion of dimethyl ether and/or methanol to higher alkanes, including C7 alkanes, and results in selective production of triptane and/or triptene with relatively little isomerization to or production of other C7 alkanes.