Process for making ethers from alkoxide anions or precursors of alkoxide anions
First Claim
1. A method of making an ether, comprising the steps of:
- a) reacting an alcohol with at least a 20 molar percent stoichiometric excess of a hygroscopic base to form an intermediate product mixture comprising an alkoxide anion and excess base, said reaction occurring under conditions such that the base functions as a scavenger to scavenge by-product water to help drive the reaction toward completion;
b) preheating the intermediate product mixture to a temperature greater than about 110°
C.; and
c) in the presence of the excess base, adding a stoichiometric excess of a hydrocarbyl halide to the pre-heated intermediate product mixture and reacting the alkoxide anion with the hydrocarbyl halide at a temperature greater than about 110°
C. to form a product mixture comprising an ether.
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Abstract
Improved methods for making ethers. In particular, an alkoxide can be more effectively converted into an ether by reaction with a hydrocarbyl halide in the presence of a substantial excess of a hygroscopic base such as NaOH. When present in such an unconventional excess, the base serves multiple functions. As a consequence, the alkoxide is extensively converted to the desired ether rapidly at excellent yields. The reaction environment also aids later product isolation. The use of the NaOH rather than Na metal allows the ether product to be separated from water soluble impurities such as salt products, left over base, left over hydrocarbyl halide, formates, etc. by liquid-liquid extraction among aqueous and organic phases.
17 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of making an ether, comprising the steps of:
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a) reacting an alcohol with at least a 20 molar percent stoichiometric excess of a hygroscopic base to form an intermediate product mixture comprising an alkoxide anion and excess base, said reaction occurring under conditions such that the base functions as a scavenger to scavenge by-product water to help drive the reaction toward completion; b) preheating the intermediate product mixture to a temperature greater than about 110°
C.; andc) in the presence of the excess base, adding a stoichiometric excess of a hydrocarbyl halide to the pre-heated intermediate product mixture and reacting the alkoxide anion with the hydrocarbyl halide at a temperature greater than about 110°
C. to form a product mixture comprising an ether. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13)
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9. A method of making an ether, comprising the steps of:
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a) reacting an alcohol with at least a 20 molar percent stoichiometric excess of a hygroscopic base to form an intermediate product mixture comprising an alkoxide anion, remaining alcohol, excess base, said reacting occurring at a first temperature, said reaction occurring under conditions such that the base functions as a scavenger to scavenge by-product water to help drive the reaction to completion; b) heating the intermediate product mixture to a second temperature greater than the first temperature and greater than about 110°
C.;c) optionally holding intermediate product mixture at a third temperature greater than the first temperature and greater than about 110°
C.; andd) in the presence of the excess base and the remaining alcohol, adding a stoichiometric excess of a hydrocarbyl halide to the intermediate product mixture and reacting the alkoxide anion with the hydrocarbyl halide at a temperature greater than about 110°
C. to form a product mixture comprising an ether. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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Specification