Selective Hydroalkoxylation of 1-Hexene with 1-Propanol and 1-Butanol over Zeolite Beta Catalyst.

Etherification of 1-hexene with 1-propanol and 1-butanol representative of bioalcohols was performed in a liquid-phase continuous-flow process over a fixed bed of zeolite beta catalyst. Contact time and reaction temperature were optimized to maximize conversion and limit deactivation. The catalyst was stable for at least 14 h on stream. In the conversion of 1-hexene with 1-propanol, zeolite beta catalyst showed over 90 % selectivity for 2-propoxyhexane. In the conversion of 1-hexene and 1-butanol, 2-butoxyhexane was selectively formed. Dialkyl ether from the alcohol and dodecenes and hexanol from 1-hexene were the main side products. As 1-alkenes and terminal alcohols can be synthesized from biomass, this hydroalkoxylation process could be used for grading up green chemicals to high-boiling solvents and renewable ethers for the diesel pool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]