Methyl tert-butyl ether

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Methyl tert-butyl ether
Names
IUPAC name
2-Methoxy-2-methylpropane
Other names
Methyl t-butyl ether
Methyl tert-butyl ether
Methyl tertiary-butyl ether
MTBE
tBME
tert-Butyl methyl ether
tert-BuOMe
Properties
C5H12O
Molar mass 88.15 g/mol
Appearance Colorless liquid
Odor Terpene-like
Density 0.7604 g/cm3 (0 °C)
0.7526 g/cm3 (10 °C)
0.7472 g/cm3 (15 °C)
0.7404 g/cm3 (20 °C)
0.7353 g/cm3 (25 °C)
0.7317 g/cm3 (30 °C)
0.7261 g/cm3 (35 °C)
0.7209 g/cm3 (40 °C)
0.7099 g/cm3 (50 °C)
Melting point −109 °C (−164 °F; 164 K)
Boiling point 55.2 °C (131.4 °F; 328.3 K)
4.2 g/100 ml (20 °C)
5.1 g/100 ml (25 °C)
Solubility Miscible with acetone, benzene, diethyl ether, ethanol, ethylene glycol, isobutanol, isopropanol, sec-butanol, toluene, xylene
Vapor pressure 250 mm Hg (25 °C)
Thermochemistry
-315.4 kJ/mol
Hazards
Safety data sheet Sigma-Aldrich
Flash point −10 °C (14 °F; 263 K)
Related compounds
Related compounds
Di-tert-butyl ether
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Methyl tert-butyl ether, also known as MTBE, tertiary butyl methyl ether or tBME is an organic compound with molecular formula (CH3)3COCH3.

Properties

Chemical

MTBE is readily hydrolysed in the presence of strong acid catalysts.

MTBE will react with bromine.

Unfortunately, even though it is an ether, MTBE cannot substitute diethyl ether or tetrahydrofuran in the preparation of Grignard reagents.

Physical

MTBE is a volatile, flammable, and colorless liquid, poorly soluble in water.

Availability

MTBE is available as a gasoline additive.

Preparation

MTBE is produced by reacting methanol with isobutylene. It can also be synthesized by reacting tert-butanol with methyl iodide.

Projects

  • Organic extractions
  • Anti-knocking agent

Handling

Safety

Unlike most ethers, MTBE has a reduced tendency to form explosive organic peroxides. Opened bottles of diethyl ether or THF can build up dangerous levels of these peroxides in months, whereas samples of MTBE are usually safe for years.

Storage

As MTBE doesn't form explosive organic peroxides, no special storage is required. Bottles containing MTBE should be kept in a cold place, away from any heat or fire source.

Disposal

MTBE can be safely burned. However, it must never dumped in the environment.

References

Relevant Sciencemadness threads