General description

tert-Butyl methyl ether (MTBE) is a gasoline additive. MTBE undergoes oxidative degradation in the presence of propane-oxidizing bacterial strains. The kinetic studies of heat-assisted persulfate oxidation of MTBE under various parameters suggests that the reaction follows the pseudo-first-order kinetics. MTBE can be synthesized by acid catalyzed reaction between methanol and isobutene. A study suggests that the addition of MTBE increases the number of active sites during polymerization of propene by stopped-flow method.

tert-Butyl methyl ether is a commonly used organic solvent that can be synthesized by acid catalyzed reaction between methanol and isobutene. It is an effective alternative to lead containing additives for enhancing the octane rating of gasoline.

Application

tert-Butyl methyl ether may be used to synthesize fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) and glycerol tert-butyl ether via transesterification with canola oil under supercritical conditions.