| abstract |
Disclosed is a two-step process for the generation of diisopropyl ether from a crude by-product acetone stream which comprises: a) Hydrogenating said crude acetone over a bulk-metal, nickel-rich catalyst to give an isopropanol-rich effluent; b) Dehydrating said isopropanol-rich intermediate in the presence of a strong acid zeolite catalyst from the group consisting of beta -zeolite, optionally modified with one or more metals from Group IB, VB, VIB, VIIB and VIII of the Periodic Table, and a dealuminized Y-zeolite, wherein the dehydration temperature is from about 80 DEG C. to 200 DEG C. |