Catalysis by hydrogen halides in the gas phase. IX. Tertiary butyl ether and hydrogen bromide

Abstract

The hydrogen bromide catalysed decomposition of t-butyl ethyl ether takes place at 263-337º. Two major reactions occur, one producing isobutene by kinetics first order in each reactant, and the other isobutane by kinetics first order in the ether and zero order in hydrogen bromide. The latter is extensively inhibited by cyclohexene and is a radical chain reaction; the former is not inhibited and is presumably molecular, and on this basis its properties form a smooth sequence with those of other similar hydrogen halide catalysed decompositions.