Enichem Anic S.p.a.

Carmelo Nurra

Giuseppe Messina

Loreno Lorenzoni

Oscar Cappellazzo

Angelo Virdis

Linear olefins are converted into the corresponding secondary alcohols by treatment with methyl alcohol and a tertiary alcohol, in the presence of an acidic catalyst, at a temperature ranging from 120.degree. to 200.degree. C. The product mixture substantially consists of the desired secondary alcohol and of the methyl ether of the charged tertiary alcohol. The reaction products can be easily isolated by fractionation, or, in some instances, the liquid product mixture can be used as such. Of particular interest is the direct hydration of n-butenes using tert-butyl alcohol as the tertiary alcohol. The obtained product mixture can be used as such, as an additive to methanol-containing gasolines for internal combustion engines.

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Olmedo, Italy

Carmelo Nurra