Synthesis of ethyl hexyl ether over acidic ion-exchange resins for cleaner diesel fuel

Abstract

The synthesis of ethyl hexyl ether as a suitable diesel additive was investigated using 1-hexanol and diethyl carbonate as reactants and acidic ion-exchange resins as catalysts. Liquid-phase experiments were performed in a batch reactor at the temperature range of 403–463 K and 2.5 MPa. The formation of ethyl hexyl ether proceeded from two routes: thermal decomposition of ethyl hexyl carbonate and intermolecular dehydration of 1-hexanol with ethanol. Both pathways require a previous transesterification reaction between diethyl carbonate and 1-hexanol. It was revealed that this reaction is favoured in polymer zones of 0.4 nm nm⁻³ polymer density (equivalent to 2.6 nm diameter pores in inorganic materials). Acidic ion-exchange resins containing a significant volume fraction of this polymer density are Dowex 50W×2 and Amberlyst 70. By using this kind of catalyst, reaction rate and selectivity are significantly increased. Finally, it was observed that working at low temperature would favour the selectivity to ethyl hexyl carbonate and hinder the undesired formation of alkenes.