Ethyl tert-butyl ether

Ethyl tert-butyl ether[1]
Names
IUPAC name
2-Ethoxy-2-methyl-propane
Other names
Ethyl tert-butyl ether
Ethyl tertiary butyl ether
Ethyl tert-butyl oxide
tert-Butyl ethyl ether
Ethyl t-butyl ether
Identifiers
Abbreviations ETBE
637-92-3 Yes
ChemSpider 11996 Yes
EC number 211-309-7
Jmol-3D images Image
PubChem 12512
RTECS number KN4730200
Properties
Molecular formula
 C6H14O
Molar mass 102.17 g·mol−1
Appearance Clear colorless liquid
Density 0.7364 g/cm3
Melting point −94 °C (−137 °F; 179 K)
Boiling point 69 to 71 °C (156 to 160 °F; 342 to 344 K)
1.2 g/100 g
Hazards
R-phrases R11 R20
S-phrases S16
Flash point −19 °C (−2 °F; 254 K)
Except where noted otherwise, data is given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C (77 °F), 100 kPa)
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Infobox references

Ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) is commonly used as an oxygenate gasoline additive in the production of gasoline from crude oil. ETBE offers equal or greater air quality benefits than ethanol, while being technically and logistically less challenging. Unlike ethanol, ETBE does not induce evaporation of gasoline, which is one of the causes of smog, and does not absorb moisture from the atmosphere.

Synthesis

It is synthesized by mixing ethanol and isobutylene and reacting them with heat over a catalyst.

Ethanol, produced by fermentation and distillation, is more expensive than methanol, which is derived from natural gas. Therefore, MTBE, made from methanol is cheaper than ETBE, made from ethanol.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Merck Index, 11th Edition, 3732.

External links