| abstract |
Embodiments of the present invention relate to processes for converting olefins to alcohols, ethers, or combinations thereof that are suitable for use as a gasoline additive. In one embodiment, the process comprises (a) receiving a feed stream, wherein the feed stream comprises one or more olefins having 2 to 5 carbon atoms in an amount of up to 80% by weight based on the weight of the feed stream; (b) hydroformylating the feed stream in the presence of a catalyst to convert at least 80% of the olefins from the feed stream to oxygenates; (c) separating a product stream from step (b) into an oxygenate stream and a stream comprising unreacted olefins, inerts, the catalyst, and the remaining oxygenates; and (d) treating the oxygenate stream to convert a plurality of the oxygenates into at least one of an alcohol, an ether, or combinations thereof having at least 3 carbon atoms, wherein at least 25 weight percent of the alcohols and ethers having at least 3 carbon atoms are branched based on the total weight of the alcohols and ethers having at least 3 carbon atoms, and wherein the alcohols, ethers, or combination thereof is suitable for use as a gasoline additive. |