1634-04-4

Methyl-tert-butyl ether is a colorless liquid. Molecular weight= 88.17;Boiling point=54℃; Freezing/ Melting point=109℃; Flash point=10℃. Hazard Identification (based on NFPA-704 M Rating System): Health 2, Flammability 3, Reactivity 1. Soluble in water.

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), also known as tert-butyl methyl ether, a colorless liquid, is an aliphatic ether and volatile organic compound (VOC). It is moderately soluble in water and very soluble in some organic solvents such as alcohol and diethylether (ATSDR, 1996). It is a flammable liquid with a characteristic odor.

Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) was first commercially produced in Italy in 1973 for use as an octane enhancer in gasoline. U.S. production of MTBE started in 1979 after Atlantic Richfield Co. (ARCO) was granted a waiver by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that allowed MTBE to be blended up to 7 vol % in U.S. unleaded gasoline. The use of other aliphatic ethers was allowed when the U.S. EPA issued its “substantially similar” definition for unleaded gasoline specifications in 1981. Under this definition, any aliphatic ether or ether mixture could be blended in unleaded gasoline as long as the total oxygen contribution from the ethers does not exceed 2.0% oxygen by weight in the gasoline. This allowed MTBE to be blended up to approximately 11 vol % in gasoline.

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is also used in the petrochemical industry. By reversal of its formation reaction, MTBE can be cracked to isobutene and methanol on acidic catalysts at higher temperature than MTBE synthesis. MTBE was primarily used as a gasoline additive in unleaded gasoline in the United States prior to 2005, in the manufacture of isobutene, and as a chromatographic eluent especially in high pressure liquid chromatography (ATSDR, 1996; HSDB, 2012). It is also a pharmaceutical agent and can be injected into the gallbladder to dissolve gallstones (ATSDR, 1996). As a result of its manufacture and use, MTBE may be released into the environment through various waste streams directly (IPCS, 1998; HSDB, 2012).

tert-Butyl methyl ether (MTBE) is a gasoline additive. MTBE undergoes oxidative degradation in the presence of propane-oxidizing bacterial strains. The kinetic studies of heat-assisted persulfate oxidation of MTBE under various parameters suggests that the reaction follows the pseudo-first-order kinetics. MTBE can be synthesized by acid catalyzed reaction between methanol and isobutene. It is an effective alternative to lead containing additives for enhancing the octane rating of gasoline. A study suggests that the addition of MTBE increases the number of active sites during polymerization of propene by stopped-flow method.
tert-Butyl methyl ether may be used to synthesize fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) and glycerol tert-butyl ether via transesterification with canola oil under supercritical conditions.

ChEBI: Methyl tert-butyl ether is an ether having methyl and tert-butyl as the two alkyl components. It has a role as a non-polar solvent, a fuel additive and a metabolite.

tert-butyl methyl ether can be prepared by the reaction of potassium tert-butoxide and bromomethane.

Methyl tert-butyl ether appears as a colorless liquid with a distinctive anesthetic-like odor. Vapors are heavier than air and narcotic. Boiling point 131°F. Flash point 18°F. Less dense than water and miscible in water. Used as a octane booster in gasoline.

Highly flammable. Oxidizes readily in air to form unstable peroxides that may explode spontaneously [Bretherick 1979. p.151-154, 164]. A mixture of liquid air and diethyl ether exploded spontaneously [MCA Case History 616. 1960].

Ethers, such as tert-Butyl methyl ether(1634-04-4), can act as bases. They form salts with strong acids and addition complexes with Lewis acids. The complex between diethyl ether and boron trifluoride is an example. Ethers may react violently with strong oxidizing agents. In other reactions, which typically involve the breaking of the carbon-oxygen bond, ethers are relatively inert.

Slightly toxic by ingestion and inhalation. Flammable when exposed to heat or flame. Upper respiratory tract irritant and kidney damage. Questionable carcinogen.

INHALATION: May cause dizziness or suffocation. Contact may irritate or burn eyes or skin. May be harmful if swallowed.

Highlyflammable

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is used as an octane enhancer in gasoline. EPA regulations allow up to 2.7 wt.% oxygen in gasoline which allows 15 vol.% MTBE in gasoline. Other alkyl ethers can also be blended into gasoline up to the 2.7 wt% oxygen requirement. The stability of MTBE to oxidation and peroxide formation gives this unsymmetrical ether an advantage over other ethers in various extraction and reaction solvent applications.

Used as an organic solvent; as an octane booster in unleaded gasolines; in making other chemicals; and in medicine to dissolve gall stones

If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove any contact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least 15 min, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts the skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediately with soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure, begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medical facility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention. Give large quantities of water and induce vomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit.

EPA has not classified methyl tert-butyl ether with respect to potential carcinogenicity. There is evidence for the carcinogenicity of MTBE in animals. MTBE causes leukemias/lymphomas in female rats, renal tubular tumors and Leydig cell tumors in male rats, and hepatocellular tumors in mice. Positive animal carcinogenicity data and some further concordance in tumor sites for formaldehyde and TBA, metabolites of MTBE, provide support for this conclusion. However, uncertainties remain about the nature and extent of risk at very low doses, and about the particular tumor sites that are most relevant to humans.

tert-Butyl Methyl Ether can be released during manufacturing or blending with gasoline; during the storage, distribution, and transfer of MTBE-blended gasoline; and from spills or leaks or fugitive emissions at automotive service stations (U.S. EPA, 1994a). Vapor emissions from MTBE-blended gasoline may also contribute to atmospheric levels (U.S. EPA, 1988). It is not expected to persist in the atmosphere because it undergoes destruction from reactions with hydroxyl radicals. A total atmospheric lifetime for MTBE of approximately 3 and 6.1 days has been reported in polluted urban air and in nonpolluted rural air, respectively (U.S. EPA, 1993a). Based upon its vapor pressure and Henry s law constant, MTBE is highly volatile and would be expected to evaporate rapidly from soil surfaces or water. It may be fairly persistent when introduced into subsurface soils or to groundwater since volatilization to the atmosphere is reduced or eliminated. It does not readily degrade in surface waters due to hydrolysis or other abiotic processes. It is also resistant to biodegradation (U.S. EPA, 1993a). It is usually removed from surface waters very rapidly because of its high volatility. If released as part of a gasoline mixture from leaking underground storage tanks, its relatively high water solubility combined with little tendency to sorb to soil particles encourages migration to local groundwater supplies (U.S. EPA, 1993a).

Color Code—Red: Flammability Hazard: Store in a flammable liquid storage area or approved cabinet away from ignition sources and corrosive and reactive materials. Prior to working with MTBE you should be trained on its 1766 Methyl-tert-butyl ether proper handling and storage. Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area away from strong oxidizers, strong acids. Where possible, automatically pump liquid from drums or other storage containers to process containers. Drums must be equipped with self-closing valves, pressure vacuum bungs, and flame arresters. Use only nonsparking tools and equipment, especially when opening and closing containers of this chemical. Wherever this chemical is used, handled, manufactured, or stored, use explosion-proof electrical equipment and fittings.

UN2398 Methyl tert-butyl ether, Hazard Class: 3; Labels: 3-Flammable liquid.

Purify as for n-butyl methyl ether. [Beilstein 1 IV 1615.]

May form explosive mixture with air. May be able to form unstable peroxides. Much less likely to form peroxides than other ethers. Incompatible with strong acids. Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Keep away from alkaline materials, strong bases, strong acids, oxoacids, epoxides. May accumulate static electrical charges, and cause ignition of its vapors.

Dissolve or mix the material with a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber. All federal, state, and local environmental regulations must be observed.