Method for cleaving alkyl tert-alkyl ether

PURPOSE: To cleave a substance into an original alkanol and t-olefin efficiently by using a strong acid substance as a catalyst at the foot of a column apparatus. CONSTITUTION: The bed of an insoluble polymeric strong acid substance (preferably H + -type strong acid cation exchanger consisting of a sulfonated styrene- divinylbenzene resin) 2 is formed in the bottom circulation part of a column 1 equipped with a distillation and/or extraction apparatus, and a downward bottom circulation flow is formed by a heater 3. A compound is supplied from a pipe 10, t-olefin produced by cleavage is taken out from a pipe 11 and part of it is circulated. Water is supplied from a pipe 8, water containing at least part of produced alkanol is taken out from a pipe 9. Most of the alkanol is obtained with a small amount of uncleaved ether and a by-product from a pipe 7. The bottom circulation part is preferably at 60-80°C. COPYRIGHT: (C)1990,JPO