Etherification of isoamylenes with methanol

Abstract

The etherification of isoamylenes with methanol was studied in a plug-flow reactor at temperatures of 40–80°C. A strong cation-exchange resin was used as catalyst. Under the conditions applied two types of reactions took place: etherification and double-bond isomerization. The only reactive compounds were those with the double bond attached to the tertiary carbon atom. At lower temperatures the reaction rates were controlled by kinetic factors, but at temperatures above 60°C both reactions were affected by thermodynamic equilibria. The activity of the reactive hydrogen ions of the catalyst was similar, but a part of the exchangeable hydrogen ions remained inactive under the conditions applied.