Benzene Formation from the Flow Reactor Oxidation of Methyl t-Butyl Ether

Abstract

The stoichiometric oxidation of methyl t-butyl ether at temperatures of 973 and 1273 K using a fused silica tubular flow reactor is reported. H abstraction by OH radicals is expected to become effective in competing with the previously proposed four-center methanol elimination initiation pathway above 973 K. This is based on the nine equivalent C-H abstraction sites on the t-butyl group coupled with OH being nonselective towards the abstraction sites at these temperatures. In addition to the formation of isobutene and methanol as primary organic byproducts, gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis indicated the facile formation of benzene and other aromatic compounds at 1273 K. The decomposition of isobutene through propargyl radical intermediates is the most likely source of the formation of these compounds, subject to model verfication.