Synthesis of MTBE over Zeolites from Methanol and Tert-butanol

The catalytic behavior of Hβ, HY, HZSM-5 and HM zeolites in the synthesis of MTBE from methanol and tert-butanol were investigated. The high activity was obtained on the Hβ catalyst, and it was proposed that the superior activity came from its large external surface area and pore dimension. The acidity properties of the zeolites with different reactivity were explored and the well match of Brnsted and Lewis acid was explained to be responsible for the reaction.