Process for the preparation of catalysts for use in ether synthesis

Abstract

An aluminosilicate catalyst for catalytic dehydration of alcohols into ether is prepared by the steps of (a) contacting a crystalline aluminosilicate at below 800.degree. C., preferably 320.degree.-800.degree. C., with a nitrogen-containing base, preferably ammonia or a lower alkyl amine such as n-butyl amine, to absorb as much as possible of the base; and (b) desorbing part of the absorbed base by passing a stream of an inert gas over the thus-treated aluminosilicate at a temperature of 320.degree.-800.degree. C., preferably 400.degree.-600.degree. C. In step (a) the aluminosilicate catalyst is deactivated and in step (b) it is selectively reactivated so that the catalyst catalyses the ether formation reaction almost as well as the untreated catalyst, whereas the catalytic activity for other reactions such as formation of hydrocarbons and formation of "coke" consisting of polymerizates and/or carbon is eliminated. Suitable aluminosilicates to be treated according to the invention are zeolites, notably zeolite H-ZSM-5 and Y-zeolite, and smectites, notably cross-linked natural smectites.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.