Effect of Parameters on Oxychlorination of Tert-Butyl Ethers

The effect of concentration, molar ratios of reagents, pH, and temperature on formation of chloro-organic products in reaction of tert-butyl ethers with chloride ions and hydrogen peroxide has been determined. A significant effect of Cl(−) ions and H(2)O(2) molar ratios on the rate of chloro-organic product formation has been observed. Studies on oxychlorination of tert-butylethyl ether (ETBE) at pH 7, 3.5, and 2.5 have been carried out. It was found that introduction of hydronium ions into the reaction system considerably hastened the process of chloro-organic product formation. Hydronium ions contribute to the formation of the reactive tert-butyl carbocation, which undergoes secondary reactions in the presence of reactive forms of chlorine and oxygen. Moreover, the effect of temperature on ETBE (tert-butylethyl ether) and MTBE (tert-butylmethyl ether) conversions was verified. The reactions of MTBE and ETBE oxychlorination were carried out at temperatures of 5°C, 20°C, and 35°C.