Liquid-Phase Etherification/Dimerization of Isobutene over Sulfonic Acid Resins

Abstract

Simultaneous isobutene etherification/dimerization reactions have been studied in the liquid phase using macroporous sulfonic acid resins. It has been found that, in the presence of methanol, oligomerization to species heavier than dimers may be greatly reduced with respect to data reported in the literature for isobutene dimerization. Products of the described synthesis are MTBE and a mixture of branched C8 hydrocarbons having excellent properties for gasoline blending. These two products may be obtained in a wide range of relative ratios. The influence of methanol (i.e., methanol/isobutene molar ratio), feedstock type, and reactor design on product composition and byproducts formation is discussed.