3.3 Etherification

Etherification refers to the synthesis of ethers from alcohol and acid. Ethers are an indispensable part of the fuel industry as, like the properties of alcohol, ether also enhances the octane value of fuel when added in appropriate proportion. Several model reactions via RD such as MTBE, ETBE, and TAME have been studied since last two decades. These fuel oxygenates are formed by reaction of isobutylene with alcohol to give ether and water. However, another alternative is to react tert-amyl alcohol (TAA) with corresponding lower alcohol such as methanol or ethanol.

> Alcohol þ Isobutylene➔Ether Ex : for MTBE : CH3OH þ ð Þ CH3 <sup>2</sup>CCH2➔CH3OC CH ð Þ<sup>3</sup> <sup>3</sup> For ETBE : CH3CH2CH3 þ C2H5OH➔ð Þ CH3 <sup>3</sup>OC2H5
