Two-stage process for producing diisopropyl ether using catalytic

Abstract

A process for the efficient production of diisopropyl ether where catalytic distillation is used to increase the yield of product beyond thermodynamic equilibrium limitations has been developed. In a hydration zone the propylene in a feedstock is reacted with water in the presence of a catalyst to effect hydration to produce an effluent stream containing at least water, unreacted propylene, and isopropyl alcohol, and then, in an etherification zone, at least a portion of the effluent stream is further reacted by catalytic distillation in the presence of a catalyst to effect reaction of propylene and isopropyl alcohol to form diisopropyl ether while concurrently separating an organic portion containing the diisopropyl ether and an aqueous portion, and collecting the organic portion containing the diisopropyl ether.