tert-amyl methyl ether (TAZME).: Thermodynamic analysis of reaction equilibria in the liquid phase

Ethers derived from C(5) olefin streams provide a good mix of octane-enhancing and carbon monoxide-reducing qualities and are, therefore, being considered as a replacement for the more common isobutylene-derived fuel additives such as methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). This paper provides data on the thermodynamic reaction equilibria for the synthesis of tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME), which is produced from the etherification reaction of 2-methyl-1-butene and 2-methyl-2-butene with methanol. Thermochemical parameters for the reaction mixture are experimentally verified, and expressions for the thermodynamic equilibrium constants as a function of temperature are developed. A corrected value for the Gibbs free energy of formation for TAME is provided.