Liquid-Phase Synthesis of Methyl tert-Butyl Ether on Heterogeneous Heteropoly Acid Catalyst

Abstract

The liquid-phase synthesis of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) by the reaction between methanol and tert-butyl alcohol with several heteropoly acid catalysts was studied. Among the catalysts tested, acidic cesium salts of 12-tungstophosphoric acid and 12-tungstosilicic acid showed high activities and selectivities for the production of MTBE. The origin of high activity and selectivity of cesium heteropoly acids was discussed from kinetic viewpoints.