Patent ID: 8957256
Filing Date: 2015-02-17
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
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.