Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), also known as methyl tert-butyl ether and tert-butyl methyl ether, is an organic compound with a structural formula (CH₃)₃COCH₃. MTBE is a volatile, flammable, and colorless liquid that is sparingly soluble in water.^[1] Primarily used as a fuel additive, MTBE is blended into gasoline to increase its octane rating and knock resistance, and reduce unwanted emissions.^[2][3]

MTBE is manufactured via the chemical reaction of methanol and isobutylene. Methanol is primarily derived from natural gas,^[4] where steam reforming converts the various light hydrocarbons in natural gas (primarily methane) into carbon monoxide and hydrogen.^[5] The resulting gases then further react in the presence of a catalyst to form methanol.^[6] Isobutylene can be produced through a variety of methods. n-butane can be isomerized into isobutane which can be dehydrogenated to isobutylene.^[7] In the Halcon process, t-Butyl hydroperoxide derived from isobutane oxygenation is reacted with propylene to produce propylene oxide and t-butanol. The t-butanol can be dehydrated to isobutylene.

MTBE production in the U.S. peaked in 1999 at 260,000 barrels per day^[8] before dropping down to about 50,000 barrels per day and holding steady,^[9] mostly for the export market. After the purchase of SABIC,^[10][11] oil giant Saudi Aramco is now considered to be the world's largest producer^[12] with an estimated production capacity of 2.37 million metric tons per year (mt/yr).^[13] Worldwide production capacity of MTBE in 2018 was estimated to be 35 million metric tons.

• Packaging Details: 150 KG * 1 DRUMS