Development of a Process for the Acid-Catalyzed Etherification of Glycerine and Isobutene Forming Glycerine Tertiary Butyl Ethers

Based on the synthesis of glycerine tertiary butyl ethers from glycerine, a process for the technical production of “higher ethers” (diether and triether) was developed. “Higher ethers” can be used as octane boosters for automotive fuel and are a promising alternative to methyl tertiary butyl ether. The new process, which makes it possible to almost completely convert glycerine and isobutene into the desired “higher ethers”, is compared with a process already applied for the production of glycerine ditertiary butyl ether.