Question

how to convert methanol to dimethyl ether ?

Answer 1

he conversion of methanol to gasoline (MTG) range hydrocarbons on zeolite catalyst HZSM-5 has been studied extensively using solid-state NMR. We have studied the reaction under batch and flow conditions using an isolated flow variable-temperature (VT) MAS NMR probe. This probe was developed to study heterogeneous catalysis reactions in situ at temperatures greater than 300°C with reactant flow. In the batch studies, when13C-labeled methanol was adsorbed on zeolite HZSM-5, sealed, and heatedto 250°C, dimethyl ether was formed. Two-dimensional exchange NMR shows that dimethyl ether was in equilibrium with methanol at 250°C. When13C-methanol was flowed over HZSM-5 at temperatures ≥200°C, only dimethyl ether was observed. Between 160°C and 200°C, both methanol and dimethyl ether were observed. The flowresults are significant in that they suggest that there is no equilibrium between methanol and dimethyl ether in the catalyst at high temperatures, and that surface methoxy groups do not exist on the catalyst at high temperatures.