KINETICS OF LIQUID-PHASE SYNTHESIS OF TERT-AMYL METHYL-ETHER FROM TERT-AMYL ALCOHOL AND METHANOL CATALYZED BY ION-EXCHANGE RESIN

Synthesis of tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME) from methanol (MeOH) and te rt-amyl alcohol (TAA) in the liquid phase was studied by using an ion exchange resin, Amberlyst15 (A15) in the H+ form. Experiments were car ried out in a stirred batch reactor under atmospheric pressure. The ef fects of catalyst size, agitation speed, temperatures, feed ratio and water on the reaction rate were investigated. Both of intraparticle an d external diffusion effects could be neglected in this System. The de hydration of TAA could be decreased by increasing the ratio of MeOH/TA A and the reaction rates were greatly inhibited by water. A kinetic mo del which considered the inhibition of water was proposed. The experim ental results agreed well with the model. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.