PH11937A - Production of ethers - Google Patents

Abstract

1473263 Production of ethers TEXACO DEVELOPMENT CORP 4 Nov 1975 [2 Dec 1974] 45718/75 Heading C2C An ether is prepared by (a) reacting a watersoluble alcohol as first reactant with an olefin or a water-insoluble alcohol as second reactant in an inert hydrocarbon solvent having 3 or 4 carbon atoms and in the presence of a solid etherification catalyst, thereby forming a reaction mixture including unreacted first reactant and product ether containing moieties from the first reactant and the second reactant, (b) contacting the reaction mixture with an aqueous extractant in the presence of the inert hydrocarbon, thereby forming an aqueous extract containing the first reactant and a raffinate containing rhe inert hydrocarbon and product ether, and (c) recovering the raffinate. The ether may be recovered from the raffinate, e.g. by fractionation. The first reactant may be a monohydric alcohol (e.g. a C 1 -C 6 aliphatic alcohol or benzyl alcohol) or a polyhydroxy alcohol, a number of which are listed; in the examples, methanol is used. The second reactant is for example a monoolefin i.butene, i.pentene, i.hexene, styrene or phenylpropene) or a di- or tri-olefin; alternatively it may be for example a C 5 -C 10 alcohol; the use of isobutene, is exemplified. The inert hydrocarbon is for example n.butane or isobutane. When the first reactant is isobutene, it may be admitted to the reaction as part of a refinery stream containing butanes; n.butenes present may also be classed as inert hydrocarbons in this case. The catalyst is for example a sulphonated coal or a sulphonated synthetic resin, e.g. a divinylbenzene-crosslinked polystyrene. A flow diagram of a suitable apparatus is given.