The hydrogen chloride catalysed decomposition of t-butyl isopropyl ether

Abstract

Hydrogen chloride catalyses the decomposition of t-butyl isopropyl ether at 319-420º. The major products are isobutene and isopropyl alcohol; traces of propene and t-butyl alcohol are formed. The reaction is first order in each reagent and the Arrhenius equation is followed. K2 = 10^12.97±0.14exp(-32110 ± 400/RT) The rate is not affected by the addition of cyclohexene or by an increase in the surface-to-volume ratio of the reaction vessel. The formation of traces of propene is discussed.