China and the United States are the leading exporters of tert-Butyl methyl ether, collectively accounting for the majority of global shipments, while India, South Korea, and Germany represent the largest importers. Import volumes in Asia have risen steadily since 2022, coinciding with moderate upward pressure on tert-Butyl methyl ether prices amid tightening regional supply constraints.
tert-Butyl methyl ether (MTBE) is a colorless, volatile liquid with a characteristic ether-like odor. It is an aliphatic ether, classified as an organic chemical and oxygenated fuel additive. MTBE is primarily used as a gasoline blending component to enhance octane rating and reduce carbon monoxide emissions during combustion. It also serves as a solvent in organic synthesis and as a reaction medium or extractant in the production of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. Its applications are concentrated in the fuels, petrochemicals, and specialty chemical sectors.
Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is a synthetic chemical with synonyms methyl tertiary-butyl ether, tert-butyl methyl ether, tertiary-butyl methyl ether, methyl-1,1-dimethylethyl ether, 2-methoxy-2-methylpropane, 2-methyl-2-methoxypropane, methyl t-butyl ether, and MTBE. It was primarily used as a gasoline additive in unleaded gasoline in the United States prior to 2005, in the manufacture of isobutene, and as a chromatographic eluent especially in high pressure liquid chromatography (ATSDR, 1996; HSDB, 2012). It is also a pharmaceutical agent and can be injected into the gallbladder to dissolve gallstones (ATSDR, 1996). As a result of its manufacture and use, MTBE may be released into the environment through various waste streams directly (IPCS, 1998; HSDB, 2012). The predominant use for MTBE in the United States was as an oxygenate in unleaded gasoline promoting more complete burning of gasoline. Reformulated fuel with MTBE was widely used in the United States between 1992 and 2005 to meet the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) requirements for reducing carbon monoxide (CO) and ozone (O3) levels.
Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), also known as tert-butyl methyl ether, a colorless liquid, is an aliphatic ether and volatile organic compound (VOC). It is moderately soluble in water and very soluble in some organic solvents such as alcohol and diethylether (ATSDR, 1996). It is a flammable liquid with a characteristic odor.
This chemical is included in Basic Chemicals - Methanol Industry. See more about what is tert-Butyl methyl ether and tert-Butyl methyl ether SDS information.
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