Synthesis of Methyl tert-Butyl Ether from tert-Butyl Alcohol and Methanol Using Beta Zeolite Catalysts

MTBE synthesis from tert-butyl alcohol (t-BA) and methanol has been studied using beta zeolites. Increasing the reaction temperature results in an increase of t-BA conversion with concomittant decrease of MTBE selectivity. The t-BA conversion decreases with increasing calcination temperature and alkali metal ion exchange of H zeolite. The catalytic results are correlated with the surface area and the acidity of catalysts.