Langmuir‐hinshelwood kinetics of the dehydration of methanol catalyzed by cation exchange resin

Rates of the dehydration of methanol to dimethyl ether catalyzed by cation exchange resin (polystyrenesulfonic acid) were measured with a differential flow reactor and gas chromatographic analysis. Reaction temperature was 119°C., pressure was 1 atm., and feeds were methanol and mixtures of methanol with argon, dimethyl ether, and water. Rata data for the methanol reaction as well as the previously investigated ethanol dehydration reaction are well represented by Langmuir‐Hinshelwood kinetics with adsorption parameters in the rate equations approximately equal to corresponding values of Langmuir adsorption equilibrium constants estimated from or available in the literature. The reaction model is consistent with previous conclusions regarding mechanism. Its pertinence suggests that at reaction conditions the ion exchange resin offers a nearly homogeneous array of catalytic sites.