Benzyl methyl ether production from benzyl alcohol and methanol in carbonic water

Synthesis of benzyl methyl ether from benzyl alcohol and methanol in high-temperature carbonic water was studied in a batch reactor. Benzyl methyl ether formation was not observed by reacting benzyl alcohol with only methanol under supercritical conditions at 573 K. On the other hand, benzyl methyl ether was formed by the treatment of benzyl alcohol in an aqueous methanol solution at 573 K. 12% of benzyl methyl ether yield was obtained in aqueous methanol solution (methanol to water molar ratio of 0.025 mol/0.11 mol) at 573 K in 60 min and the yield enhanced to 33% by the addition of 18 MPa of carbon dioxide to the aqueous solution. As the etherification is an acid catalyzed reaction, the protons derived from the dissociation of water molecules could be responsible for the etherification of benzyl alcohol in an aqueous methanol solution at 573 K. The enhancement of benzyl methyl ether yield by the addition of carbon dioxide in aqueous methanol solution is caused by the increase of the number of protons derived from carbonic acid, which is formed in high-temperature liquid water under high-pressured carbon dioxide.