Dimethyl sulfite a potential agent for methylation

The synthesis of methylated ether compounds is an important challenge. A pathway for the synthesis of methyl ethers was investigated using dimethyl sulfite (DMSi). Methylation of 1-octanol was carried out in liquid phase upon different heterogeneous organic and inorganic catalysts at 130 °C. Aluminium oxide gave the best result with high conversion and moderate selectivity for methyl 1-octyl ether. Reactions in gas phase at higher temperatures (200 °C) were also performed. Methyl 1-octyl ether was obtained in a very high level of selectivity up to 98%. Primary and secondary ethers from unsymmetrical alkyl methyl sulfite were also performed by SO2 extrusion.