Modified Oxymethylene Ethers Based on Technical Alcohol Mixtures and their Fuel Properties

Oxymethylene dimethyl ethers (OMDME) have attracted interest as renewably synthesized diesel substitutes with low soot formation and NO$_x$ emissions. In order to enable a high compatibility of this new type of fuel in the already existing infrastructure, a modified oxymethylene ether (OME) synthesis based on technical alcohol mixtures, i.e., C$_4$-based alcohol mixtures of isomers, was evaluated and the new compounds were thoroughly characterized. The synthesized compounds can be used as neat fuel or as blending component for fossil or paraffinic diesel fuels. The modification of OME offers the possibility to adjust desired properties. This versatility could also be used to synthesize compounds for the chemical sector according to its respective requirements, such as applications as solvents, plasticizers, or additives.