Coadsorption of methanol and isobutene on HY zeolite

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/j100021a051

In order to develop a better understanding of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) synthesis on zeolites, the coadsorption of methanol and isobutene on HY zeolite was investigated using IR spectroscopy. Initial adsorption of isobutene alone at 35°C led to rapid oligomerization yielding strongly bound oligomers. The subsequent coadsorption of methanol did not induce any changes in the zeolite-adsorbate complexes. TPD following the coadsorption showed that the Bronsted acid sites could be restored by temperature treatment above approximately 300°C. When methanol was adsorbed first and isobutene was subsequently coadsorbed, MTBE was formed even at 35°C on the catalyst surface. MTBE desorbed easily at a temperature of 70°C, restoring a major fraction of the Brosted acid sites. Methanol was concluded to decrease the probability of oligomerization by effectively competing for the acid sites.