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production from natural gas

In natural gas: Applications
…methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), an oxygenated fuel additive added to gasoline in order to raise its octane number, is produced via chemical reaction of methanol and isobutylene over an acidic ion-exchange resin.
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use in gasoline

In petroleum refining: High-volatile and low-volatile components
…such as ethyl alcohol or methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in their blends. However, MTBE was soon judged to be a hazardous pollutant of groundwater in some cases where reformulated gasoline leaked from transmission pipelines or underground storage tanks, and it was banned in several parts of the country. In…
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work of Hayden

In Tom Hayden
…such as the banning of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in drinking water and the drafting of the largest environmental restoration bond in California history, and the training of immigrant parents of public-school children. Hayden endured two Republican-led expulsion hearings during his tenure in the California state legislature for his…
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ethyl ether

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Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

ethyl ether

chemical compound

Also known as: diethyl ether

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Article History

Also called:: diethyl ether

Key People:: William Thomas Green Morton; Crawford Williamson Long; Walter Channing; John Dalton; Charles Thomas Jackson

Related Topics:: ether

See all related content

ethyl ether, well-known anesthetic, commonly called simply ether, an organic compound belonging to a large group of compounds called ethers; its molecular structure consists of two ethyl groups linked through an oxygen atom, as in C₂H₅OC₂H₅.

Ethyl ether is a colourless, volatile, highly flammable liquid (boiling point 34.5° C [94.1° F]) with a powerful, characteristic odour and a hot, sweetish taste. It is a widely used solvent for bromine, iodine, most fatty and resinous substances, volatile oils, pure rubber, and certain vegetable alkaloids.

Ethyl ether is manufactured by the distillation of ethyl alcohol with sulfuric acid. Pure ether (absolute ether), required for medical purposes and in the preparation of Grignard reagents, is prepared by washing the crude ether with a saturated aqueous solution of calcium chloride, then treating with sodium.

methyl tertiary butyl ether

Learn about this topic in these articles:

production from natural gas

use in gasoline

work of Hayden

ethyl ether