Process for preparing an ether having tertiary alkyl group

Abstract

In a process for preparing an ether having a tertiary alkyl group by the reaction of a primary or secondary alcohol with the tertiary olefin in a tertiary olefin-containing mixed hydrocarbon, said reaction is carried out in the presence of an adduct of the starting alcohol with a heteropoly acid or salt thereof containing at least one member selected from the group consisting of P, Si, B, Ge, As, Se, Ti, Zr, Mn, F, U, Ce and Th as a central element, at least Mo and/or W as a coordinating element and at least one member selected from the group consisting of H, Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, NR.sup.4 R.sup.5 R.sup.6 R.sup.7 wherein R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 are hydrogen atoms or alkyl groups, Mg, Ca, Ba, Zr, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Mi, Cu, Ag, Zn, Cd, Hg, Al, Pb and Bi as cations, the ratio of the number of the coordinating elements to the number of the central elements being 2.5 to 12, said adduct being substantially in the solid phase, under a pressure higher than the pressure at which said mixed hydrocarbon containing the tertiary olefin is kept in the liquid phase. The reaction under the above conditions enables the extreme reduction of the degree of excess of the alcohol and the enhancement of the conversion of said tertiary olefin.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.