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Alcohol dehydration: Mechanism of ether formation using an alumina catalyst

Journal Article · · Journal of Catalysis
;  [1]
  1. Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington, KY (United States)

Ether formation during the dehydration of secondary alcohols, namely, 2-butanol, 3-pentanol, and 1-cyclopentylethanol, was investigated. Using the proper reaction conditions, the yield of di-2-butyl ether during the dehydration of 2-butanol on alumina can be as high as 40%. That ether is formed by adding an alcohol to the alkene is ruled out by the results from deuterium tracer studies. Results from experiments using S(+)- 2-butanol suggest that the formation of di-2-butyl ether occurs by a S{sub N}2-type mechanism. 33 refs., 5 figs., 3 tabs.

OSTI ID:
224007
Journal Information:
Journal of Catalysis, Journal Name: Journal of Catalysis Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 157; ISSN 0021-9517; ISSN JCTLA5
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English