Methylation of Alkenes and Methylbenzenes by Dimethyl Ether or Methanol on Acidic Zeolites

Abstract

The methylation of propene and toluene with dimethyl ether has been studied using both experimental and theoretical methods, and the results are compared with results obtained for methylation with methanol. The results indicate that the nature of the methylation reaction mechanisms is very similar for both methylation agents. Both experiment and theory show that dimethyl ether is a slightly more reactive methylating agent than methanol.