dimethyl ether 99.9% (DME )

Dimethyl ether (DME), also known as methoxymethane, is the organic compound with the formula CH3OCH3, simplified to C2H6O. The simplest ether, it is a colorless gas that is a useful precursor to other organic compounds and an aerosol propellant and is being researched on as a future energy option. It is an isomer of ethanol.

Production

2 CH3OH → (CH3)2O + H2O

The required methanol is obtained from synthesis gas (syngas). In principle, the methanol could be obtained from organic waste or biomass. Other possible improvements call for a dual catalyst system that permits both methanol synthesis and dehydration in the same process unit, with no methanol isolation and purification.

Both the one-step and two-step processes above are commercially available. Currently, there is more widespread application of the two-step process since it is relatively simple and start-up costs are relatively low. It is worth mentioning that there is a developing one-step liquid-phase process.

Dimethyl ether is mainly used to produce dimethyl sulfate as a methylation agent, can also be synthesis of N, N - dimethyl aniline and dimethyl methyl acetate, acetic anhydride, ethyl and ethylene, etc.;Also can be used as a refrigerant, foaming agent, solvent, leaching agent, extraction solvent, anesthetics, fuel, and civil compound ethanol and substitute of freon aerosols.Used in hair care, skin care, drugs and coatings, as all kinds of aerosol propellant.Abroad to promote the fuel additive in the pharmacy, dye, pesticide industry has many unique purpose.Mobil oil companies in the United States published methanol through the dehydration of preparing ethylene dimethyl ether patents.