tert-Butyl methyl ether (methyl tert-butyl ether, MTBE) is a gasoline additive. Its oxidative degradation by propane-oxidizing bacterial strains has been tested. Kinetics of its heat-mediated biodegradation has been investigated under various reaction conditions. Its biodegradation followed a pseudo-first-order decay model and its pseudo-first-order rate constants were evaluated. Its extraction from water has been proposed by employing an organic polymeric compound, Nafion. MTBE can be synthesized by acid-catalyzed reaction between methanol and isobutene. A study suggests that the addition of MTBE increases the number of active sites during polymerization of propene by stopped-flow method. This solvent meets ACS (American Chemical Society) specifications and can be used for processes requiring strict quality conditions such as analytical testing.
Synonyms: MTBE; Methyl tert-butyl ether
Molecular Formula: C5H12O
Molecular Weight: 88.15
Linear Structural Formula: (CH3)3COCH3
MDL Number: MFCD00008812
Purity: >=99.0%
Melting Point: -110 C
Density: 0.74 g/mL at 25 C (lit.)
Refractive Index: n20/D 1.369 (lit.)
Application: tert-Butyl methyl ether (methyl tert-butyl ether, MTBE) may be used:
•As sole carbon and energy source in a mixed microbial consortium.
•To extract lipids from biological fluids for shotgun profiling.
•To synthesize fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) and glycerol tert-butyl ether by transesterification of canola oil in the absence of catalyst under supercritical condition.
Assay: ≥99.0%
Autoignition Temp.: 705°F
BP: 55-56°C(lit.)
Color: APHA: ≤10
Density: 0.74 g/mL at 25°C(lit.)
Evapn. Residue: ≤0.001%
Expl. Lim.: 15.1 %
Grade: ACS reagent
Impurities: <1 ppm H2O2
Refractive Index: n20/D 1.369(lit.)
Vapor Density: 3.1 (vs air)